Development of a toluene ammoxidation catalyst for manufacture of benzonitrile

The effects of reaction temperature,velocity,catalyst loading,oxygen ratio and ammonia ratio on toluene ammoxidation on a newlydeveloped catalyst were described.Benzonitrile yield of 85% was attained under following condition∶toluene∶NH3∶air (mole) =1∶4∶20,405 ℃,linear velocity 02 m/s and catalyst loading 60-90 g/ L·h.Commercial application of the catalyst on a 700 t/a plant showed a benzonitrile yield higher than the laboratory test result with good stability of the catalyst.