ABSTRACT
Abstract A comparative study on the vapour phase oxidation and ammoxidation of toluene, p-methoxytoluene and p-chlorotoluene to the corresponding aldehydes and nitriles using V -containing catalysts is described. The effect of acid-base properties of catalyst surfaces in connection with electronic effects of the substituents on the catalytic performance is discussed. Common features and differences in mechanistic steps are demonstrated. The optimum catalyst composition for vapour phase partial oxidation of methyl aromatics to their aldehydes is quite different from that for vapour phase partial ammoxidation to nitriles.
