| abstract |
A process for producing a nitrile, which comprises subjecting an alkane and ammonia in the gaseous state to catalytic oxidation in the presence of an oxide of empirical formula: n n MoV b Te c Nb d X x O n (1) n n n wherein: nX is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Al, Ga, Tl, In, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ta, Cr, Mn, W, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Zn, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, La and Ce; n b is from 0.01 to 1.0; n c is from 0.01 to 1.0; n d is from 0 to 1.0; n x is from 0.0005 to 1.0; and n n is a number such that the total valency of the metal elements is satisfied. |