Acetonitrile by Catalytic Ammoxidation of Ethane and Propane: A New Reaction of Alkane Functionalization

摘要: Acetonitrile can be selectively synthetized by ammoxidation of ethane or propane over Nb-Sb mixed oxides supported on alumina, with selectivities to acetonitrile about 50-55% up alkane conversions 30%. In both cases, CO forms in a 1:1 molar ratio acetonitrile, due parallel reaction from common intermediate. Feeding n-butane the selectivity halfes. The differences behavior this catalyst that analogous V-Sb-oxide catalysts, but selective acrylonitrile propane, and some aspects possible mechanism are also briefly discussed. particular, absence allylic type reactivity is evidenced.