Kinetics of the gas‐phase ammoxidation of toluene to benzonitrile on a Bi‐Mo‐O catalyst

Abstract For the selective gas‐phase ammoxidation of toluene on a Bi‐Mo‐O catalyst a kinetic model has been developed in which the combustion of ammonia and benzonitrile has been taken into account. The effect of steam has been investigated. Temperature in the 640‐750 K region has hardly any effect on the selectivity to nitrile, which is maximal at 83%. Values are given for the rate parameters of main and side reactions.