프로판의 아크릴로니트릴로의 가암모니아 산화반응을 Nb₂O_5-V_(0.4)Mo₁Te_(0.1) 혼합촉매를 이용하여 연구하였다. 가암모니아 산화반응의 촉매적 활성은 강한 산성을 띠는 니오비움산화물을 몰리브덴계 산화물촉매(V_(0.4)Mo₁Te_(0.1))에 첨가함에 따라서 증가하였으며, 이때 아크릴로니트릴과 프로필렌의 선택율은 일정하게 유지되었다. 최대의 활성은 Nb₂O_5-V_(0.4)Mo₁Te_(0.1) 촉매 중 니오비움산화물이 25 wt%가 되었을 때 얻었으며, 니오비움산화물은 프로판의 탈수소과정에 선택적인 촉매임을 알았다.

Conversion of propane to acrylonitrile via ammoxidation was studied using physically mixed catalysts composed of Nb₂O_5(10∼30 wt%) and V_(0.4)Mo₁Te_(0.1). Catalytic activities of ammoxidation were improved by adding strong acidic niobium oxide to V_(0.4)Mo₁Te_(0.1), the selectivities to acrylonitrile+propylene being remained constant. The maximum activity was obtained at the mixing ratio 25 wt% niobium oxide in Nb₂O_5-V_(0.4)Mo₁Te_(0.1). Niobium oxide was found to be a selective catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane.