PURPOSE: To suppress side reaction and obtain the titled compound in good yield with good safety and at a low cost, by reacting an alkyl-substituted aromatic or alkyl-substituted hetero aromatic compound with ammonia and molecular oxygen in the presence of a specific catalyst.
CONSTITUTION: An alkyl-substituted aromatic compound or alkyl-substituted hetero aromatic compound, e.g. toluene or β-picoline, is catalytically reacted with ammonia and molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst containing oxides of antimony and tin at 350W500°C to afford the aimed compound. The catalyst may be used along, but can be used by supporting stannic hydroxide and antimony trioxide on a carrier, e.g. silica, titanium dioxide, etc. The atomic ratio of the antimony to the tin is 1:0.2W5. The ratio of the aromatic compound:ammonia:air in the reaction gas is within the range of 1:5W40:9W100.
DOJO MASANORI
IGUCHI AKIRA
