Highly selective Sn/HZSM-5 catalyst for ethane ammoxidation to acetonitrile and ethylene

The ammoxidation of ethane over the conventional metal oxide and Co/zeolite catalysts faces challenge inadequate selectivity owing to formation CO2, N2, NOx. Here we report that Sn modified ZSM-5 catalyst is highly selective for ammoxidation. C- N-based acetonitrile selectivities are up 80 % 70 Sn/HZSM-5, but they below 60 20 %, Co/HZSM-5. We suggested (IV) cations critical active sites formation, presence nanosized SnOx particles favors CO2 formation. Transient kinetics analysis Sn/HZSM-5 follows same reaction pathways as However, surface abundancy intermediates these two different, which could be reason enhanced in contrast Co (II) zeolite.