Understanding the role of Al2O3-ZrO2 mixed oxides as support for vanadium catalysts for the selective ammoxidation of o-chlorotoluene to o-chlorobenzonitrile

o-Chlorotoluene (o-CT) ammoxidation to prepare o-chlorobenzonitrile (o-CBN) was investigated on Al2O3-ZrO2 supported V2O5 catalysts in the temperature range of 360 to 420 degrees C. A set of vanadium oxide supported on mixed oxides with varying its loadings were prepared by wet impregnation method. The catalysts surface and structural characteristics were derived from BET-surface area, X-ray diffraction, FT-infrared, temperature programmed reduction, temperature programmed desorption of ammonia and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The characterization results revealed that vanadium species were well dispersed and strongly interacted with mixed oxide support. The ammoxidation activity was depended on V2O5 content and its nature of surface species existing in the catalyst. The catalyst with 10 wt% of V2O5 on Al2O3-ZrO2 showed high ammoxidation activity with 100% selectivity to o-CBN. Moreover, the catalyst showed consistent activity during time on stream study.

Automated summary

The study investigated the use of Al2O3-ZrO2 supported V2O5 catalysts for the ammoxidation of o-Chlorotoluene to o-chlorobenzonitrile. Results showed that the catalyst exhibited high selectivity and activity, with strong interaction between vanadium species and the mixed oxide support. The catalyst with 10 wt% of V2O5 on Al2O3-ZrO2 demonstrated consistent high activity and 100% selectivity to o-CBN.