Advances in the catalytic production of acrylonitrile

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is one of the most important industrial intermediates for the production of a variety of commodities that are intertwined with our daily life. Currently, ACN is mainly produced using the commercial propylene-based process (i.e., the SOHIO process). Driven by the climbing cost of propylene, alternative feedstock such as propane and biomass-derived compounds have been studied. In this review, we summarize the advances in the catalytic production of ACN with the above-mentioned feedstocks. In particular, we briefly summarize the well-established catalysts (i.e., BiMo-based and Sb-based ones) for propylene ammoxidation. Then, we focus on the development of catalysts for the ammoxidation of propane (e.g., Mo-V-Nb-Te-based, Sb-V-based, and other novel catalytic systems) as well as in the conversion of biomass-derived compounds. Finally, perspectives on catalyst design and engineering control for the next generation of ACN production processes will be presented.