Process for production of benzonitrile

Benzonitrile is produced by the catalytic oxidation of toluene with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of ammonia at 300-500 DEG C. in the gaseous phase using an aluminium oxide catalyst carrier which contains as catalyst 3-10% by weight of vanadium pentoxide and also contains the oxides of one or more elements of the VIth to VIIIth subsidiary group of the Periodic Table, in which the aluminium oxide has been annealed at 650-900 DEG C. prior to the addition of the metal oxides, and wherein the toluene is passed through the catalyst together with between one and two times the theoretically necessary quantity of oxygen, with ammonia, in the presence of steam.