Process for preparing carbocyclic or heterocyclic nitriles by vapor phase ammoxidation

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for preparing carbocyclic or heterocyclic nitrites by the vapor phase contact ammoxidation of carbocyclic compounds or heterocyclic compounds, in which the reaction is carried out effectively without the increase of the amount of ammonia or oxygen used or the introduction of steam to give the nitrites as the objective products stably with the passage of time in a high yield with a high selectivity. A process for preparing carbocyclic or heterocyclic nitriles comprising subjecting the corresponding starting carbocyclic or heterocyclic compounds to ammoxidation via the vapor phase catalytic reaction in a fluidized bed reactor, in which the reaction is carried out in the presence of a metal oxide fluidized bed catalyst containing vanadium and/or molybdenum as the catalyst, oxygen-containing gas being supplied through an oxygen-containing gas inlet provided at the bottom of the fluidized bed reactor, the starting cyclic compound and ammonia being supplied at a level higher than the oxygen-containing gas inlet, a fluidized bed being formed so that the ratio of the amount of catalyst (Wb) fluidized at a level higher than the inlet of the starting cyclic compound to the amount of catalyst (Wa) fluidized at a level higher than the oxygen-containing gas inlet in the reaction zone is in the range of Wb/Wa=0.05 to 0.9 by weight.