Method for synthesizing hydrocyanic acid from formamide - catalyst

Abstract

Process for preparing hydrocyanic acid by thermolysis of gaseous formamide in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst, wherein a) the catalyst is (i) an aluminum oxide catalyst which comprises from 90 to 100% by weight, preferably from 99 to 100% by weight, of aluminum oxide as component A, from 0 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0 to 1% by weight, of silicon dioxide as component B and from 0 to not more than 0.1% by weight of iron or iron-comprising compounds as component C, where the total sum of the components A, B and C is 100% by weight, and has (ii) a BET surface area, measured in accordance with DIN ISO 9277: 2003 May, of <1 m2/g and is (iii) heat treated at temperatures of >1400° C. for from 1 to 30 hours, preferably ≧1500° C. for from 1 to 30 hours, particularly preferably at from 1500° C. to 1800° C. for from 2 to 10 hours, and b) the reactor has an inner surface which is inert in respect of the thermolysis of formamide; and use of the catalyst in a process for preparing hydrocyanic acid by thermolysis of gaseous formamide in a reactor which has an inner surface which is inert in respect of the thermolysis of formamide

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.