Synthesis of acetonitrile by dehydration of acetamide on an active ZnO catalyst: A comparison with zeolite catalysts.

Abstract

Catalytic activities of three different zinc oxides is evaluated in dehydration of acetamide reaction at 723 K. It is seen that an oxide of zinc, ZnO(u) prepared by decomposition of a mixture of zinc nitrate, urea and oxalic acid method showed much higher activity than other zinc oxides. Also the activity of 2nO(u) was comparable with die reported activities of zeolite catalysts. The activity of the catalysts could be correlated with their acidity.