Ammoxidation of 3-picoline to nicotinonitrile over VPO catalysts

Industrial vanadium phosphate (VPO) samples (vanadyl phosphate hemihydrate precursor compound, freshly calcined and equilibrated vanadyl pyrophosphate solids) shaped with polysilicic acid (PSA) were characterized and used as catalysts for the ammoxidation of 3-picoline to nicotinonitrile. Catalyst characterization with N2-adsorption, XRD, IR spectroscopy, UV–Vis-DRS and XPS provide information on BET surface area and pore size, crystalline properties and vanadium oxidation state data in bulk and near-to-surface region. BET surface area is dramatically increased by calcination of the precursor but catalytic operation drops the surface area again, moreover, deactivation by carbon deposits was observed. The deactivation is also demonstrated by decrease in V5+ portion in the equilibrated catalyst. Ammoxidation test runs showed quite good performance for the calcined vanadyl pyrophosphate sample; the used and precursor sample revealed poor performance only. Interestingly, characterization of samples used in ammoxidation showed phase alteration in particular for precursor sample proving phase change towards NH4-ion containing VPO phase.

Industrial VPO samples (precursor, fresh and equilibrated) were characterized and used as catalysts for the ammoxidation of 3-picoline to nicotinonitrile. Test runs showed quite good performance for fresh sample; the precursor and equilibrated solid revealed poor performance only mainly due to decrease in BET surface area. Interestingly, solid characterizations showed phase alteration towards NH4-ion containing VPO phase in case of catalyst precursor compound.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide