20. Catalytic ammoxidation of hydrocarbons on mixed oxides

The different catalysts and possible options in the catalytic ammoxidation of hydrocarbons on mixed oxides is shortly discussed. Topics addressed include propene and propane ammoxidation to acrylonitrile, substituted alkyl-aromatic and alkyl-pyridine ammoxidation to corresponding cyano compounds, and the ammoxidation of less conventional molecules (C4 hydrocarbons to maleonitrile and fumaronitrile, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone to adiponitrile, n-hexane and cyclohexane to adiponitrile, benzene to C4 and C6 unsaturated dinitriles and ethane to acetonitrile). It is shown that the ammoxidation field is still a quite attracting area both from fundamental and commercial point of view. It is also stressed that the same concepts and catalysts used for more known area (such as acrylonitrile synthesis) could be successfully applied also in the conversion of less conventional molecules.