	US 7,576,232 B2
	In situ modification of molybdenum-based catalysts
Michael J. Seely, Naperville, Ill. (US); and Christos Paparizos, Willoughby, Ohio (US)
Assigned to Ineos USA LLC, Lisle, Ill. (US)
Filed on May 02, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/415,565.
Prior Publication US 2007/0260085 A1, Nov. 08, 2007
Int. Cl. C07C 253/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 558—321

13 Claims

1. A process for the conversion of a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene, propane, isobutane or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, the process comprising contacting in a reactor and reacting in the vapor phase at an elevated temperature and pressure said hydrocarbon with a molecular oxygen-containing gas and ammonia, in the presence of a molybdenum-based ammoxidation catalyst and a catalyst modifier, wherein said molybdenum-based ammoxidation catalyst comprises an oxide represented by the following formula:

A_aB_bC_cD_dBi_eMo_fO_x

where

A is one or more of Li, Na, K, Cs, Rb, Sm, In, Ca, Sr, Ba and Tl,

B is one or more of Fe, Co, Mg, Mn, Ni, V and Zn,

C is one or more of Cr, Ce, Eu, P, Sb, Ge, Te and W,

D is one or more of Sn, B, As, Pt, Pd, Ga, Nd, Nb, Pr and Pb, and

a is 0.05 to 3.0,

b is 0.1 to 14.0,

c is 0.0 to 5.0,

d is 0.0 to 2.0,

e is 0.2 to 6.0,

f is 8.0 to 18.0,

and x is a number determined by the oxidation states and amounts of the other elements present in the catalyst (i.e. x a number determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present); and

wherein said catalyst modifier comprises a molybdate or a polymolybdate of at least one element M selected from the group consisting of cesium, rubidium, potassium, sodium, thallium, lithium, nickel, cobalt, iron, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, cerium and phosphorus.