Process for the production of hetreroaromatic nitriles, improved catalyst therefor and a process for the production of said improved catalyst

Abstract

A process for preparation of heteroaromatic nitrile from the corresponding alkyl pyridine is disclosed. The process comprises contacting the alkyl pyridine with ammonia and an oxygen source in the presence of a catalyst comprising an active component comprising of oxide of vanadium and antimony and a promoter provided on a support.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . An improved catalyst for the production of heteroaromatic nitrites from the corresponding alkyl-substituted pyridine derivatives, said catalyst comprising an active component comprising of oxide of vanadium and antimony and a promoter, the molar ratio of vanadium:antimony:promoter being in the range of 1:0.1 to 1.0:0.1 to 0.5, said active component being supported on a low surface area catalyst support material consisting of alpha alumina with surface area less than 10 sq.m/gm.  
   
   
       31 . A process as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the promoter is selected from at least one of chromium, molybdenum, and cobalt and manganese oxides and any mixture thereof.  
   
   
       32 . A process for the preparation of an improved catalyst for the production of heteroaromatic nitrites from the corresponding alkyl-substituted pyridine derivatives, said process comprising: 
 (a) preparing a solution of a vanadium source in water;    (b) adding a weak organic acid to the said solution obtained in step (a) above and mixing the solution so obtained thoroughly;    (c) adding an antimony source and promoter selected from one or more of chromium, molybdenum, cobalt and manganese oxides and any mixture thereof to said solution and heating to a temperature in the range of 60 to 90° C. sufficient to form a slurry;    (d) adding a catalyst support material consisting of alpha alumina with surface area less than 10 sq.m/gm having a low surface area in the solid state in the required shape and size and mixing till a final coated mass is obtained;    (e) drying the mass of step (d) above and calcining the dried mass.    
   
   
       33 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the catalyst support material comprises alpha alumina of surface area less than 10 sq.m/gm.  
   
   
       34 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the promoter comprises at least one of chromium, molybdenum, and cobalt and manganese oxides and any mixture thereof.  
   
   
       35 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein said vanadium source comprises vanadium pentoxide or ammonium metavanadate.  
   
   
       36 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the weak acid comprises oxalic acid.  
   
   
       37 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the active component is repeatedly coated on the catalyst support.  
   
   
       38 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the loading of the active material on the catalyst support is in the range of 5 to 25, preferably 5 to 15%.  
   
   
       39 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the ratio of vanadium is higher than that of antimony and the promoter.  
   
   
       40 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the ratio of solution of vanadium source to acid is in the range of from 1:1 to 4 by weight.  
   
   
       41 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the ratio of in weight ratio of vanadium, antimony and promoter is in the range of 1:0.1 to 1.0:0.1 to 0.5.  
   
   
       42 . A process as claimed in  claim 32  wherein said temperature sufficient to form said slurry is in the range of from 60 to 90° C.  
   
   
       43 . A process as claimed in  claim 34  wherein said dried mass is calcined at a temperature in the range of 400-600° C.