Adjustment of W–O–Zr Boundaries Boosts Efficient Nitrilation of Dimethyl Adipate with Ammonia on WOx/ZrO2 Catalysts

In this study, a tungstated zirconia (WOx/ZrO2) catalyst was developed for the continuous synthesis of adiponitrile (ADN) by gas-phase nitrilation of dimethyl adipate (DMA) with NH3. The highest TOFADN could be reached on WOx/ZrO2 bearing ∼1D WOx species (highly dispersed and discontinuous status) at the surface, which, however, delivered the poorest selectivity toward nitrilation (SADN+MCP). In comparison, both efficient and selective transformation of DMA to ADN was achieved by fabricating WOx/ZrO2 with continuously distributed oligomeric WOx species (∼2D) at the surface, either by varying the dosage of the W-reagent in the preparation of WOx(m)/ZrO2 or by doping a proper amount of the Mn element into WOx(5.0)/ZrO2, bearing WO3 NPs. Furthermore, the in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy investigations of both independent and competitive adsorptions of ester functionality and NH3 over W–O–Zr, W–O–W, and Zr–O–Zr boundaries at the surface clarified the synergistic effect of these species in the activation of DMA/NH3 and thereby nitrilation.