Catalyst for the manufacture of acrylonitrile

A catalyst composition comprising a complex of catalytic oxides comprising rubidium, cerium, chromium, iron, bismuth, molybdenum, and at least one of nickel or nickel and cobalt, optionally magnesium, and optionally one of phosphorus, antimony, tellurium, sodium, lithium, potassium, cesium, thallium, boron, germanium, tungsten calcium, wherein the relative ratios of these elements are represented by the following general formula:

• RbaCebCrcMgdAeFefBigMo12Ox
• wherein A is Ni or the combination of Ni and Co,
• Y is at least one of P, Sb, Te, Li, Na, K, Cs, Tl, B, Ge, W, Ca, Zn, a rare earth element, or mixtures thereof,
• a is about 0.01 to about 1,
• b is about 0.01 to about 3,
• c is about 0.01 to about 2,
• d is 0 to about 7,
• e is about 0.01 to about 10,
• f is about 0.01 to about 4,
• g is about 0.05 to about 4,
• h is 0 to about 3,
• x is a number determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present,
• wherein “b”+“c” is greater than “g”, and wherein the catalyst is substantially free of manganese, a noble metal or vanadium.

A process for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof, respectively, by reacting in the vapor phase at an elevated temperature and pressure said olefin with a molecular oxygen containing gas and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complex of catalytic oxides comprising rubidium, cerium, chromium, iron, bismuth, molybdenum, and at least one of nickel or nickel and cobalt, optionally magnesium, and optionally one of phosphorus, antimony, tellurium, sodium, lithium, potassium, cesium, thallium, boron, germanium, tungsten calcium, wherein the relative ratios of these elements are represented by the following general formula:

• RbaCebCrcMgdAeFefBigMo12Ox
• wherein A is Ni or the combination of Ni and Co,
• Y is at least one of P, Sb, Te, Li, Na, K, Cs, Tl, B, Ge, W, Ca, Zn, a rare earth element, or mixtures thereof,
• a is about 0.01 to about 1,
• b is about 0.01 to about 3,
• c is about 0.01 to about 2,
• d is 0 to about 7,
• e is about 0.01 to about 10,
• f is about 0.01 to about 4,
• g is about 0.05 to about 4,
• h is 0 to about 3,
• x is a number determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present,
• wherein “b”+“c” is greater than g, and wherein the catalyst is substantially free of manganese, a noble metal or vanadium.