Reactivity of Selected Mono- and Dimethylpyridines under Conditions of Oxidative Ammonolysis

The reactivity of 3-methyl-, 4-methyl-, 2,3-dimethyl-, and 3,4-dimethylpyridines under the oxidative ammonolysis on vanadium oxide catalysts has been studied. The yield of monocyanopyridines has been related to the simulated values of the deprotonation enthalpy of methyl substituents being converted into the cyano group, both in the gas phase and under conditions simulating chemisorption at the acid center of the catalyst. Differences in the mechanism of conversion of the primary products of oxidative ammonolysis of 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylpyridines (2-cyano-3-methyl- and 4-cyano-3-methylpyridines) at elevated temperature have been revealed.