Direct ammoxidation of ethane: An approach to tackle the worldwide shortage of acetonitrile

Abstract

The worldwide shortage of acetonitrile relies on the absence of a direct synthesis method. We report niobium-modified NiO catalyst for producing acetonitrile from an easily available starting material such as ethane. The extent of niobium doping is critical to optimize performance; an incipient interaction of niobium with NiO lattice promotes the direct ammoxidation of ethane to acetonitrile.