Niobium or tantalum catalysts for the preparation of ethylenimine

Abstract

An improved catalyst suitable for the dehydration of an alkanolamine in the vapor phase to produce an alkylenimine which catalyst contains an oxide of niobium or tantalum. Optionally an alkaline earth oxide is employed as a promoter. The catalyst is generally used on an inert low surface area support at a concentration of less than 5% of the tantalum or niobium oxide and less than 0.5% of the promoter oxide.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.