For some seven decades, acrylonitrile has provided an important raw material for the polymers and plastics industry, largely catalyzed by the commercialization of the propylene ammoxidation process. This is in large part due to the pioneering work of Bob Grasselli and the Sohio Group under his direction. His significant contributions to the science and technology of heterogenous selective oxidation catalysis include not only the discovery and development of many generations of multicomponent metal oxide systems which are still prevalent in commercial use today, but also the identification of fundamental scientific principles which underpin the operation of these catalyst systems. The cumulative body of mechanistic information on this process from Bob’s Group and his academic and industrial collaborators, has provided a wealth of insights regarding key steps of the process. The use of in-situ molecular probes is one methodology that has provided information useful in the elucidation of surface intermediates and the role of critical catalytic sites. This work has not only provided the basis for new and improved catalysts, but also for identification of catalytic components effective for related processes.

Mechanisms of selective oxidation and ammoxidation catalysis: A tribute to the legacy of R. K. Grasselli

256th National Meeting (2018)

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