A process for the production of hydrogen cyanide is provided, wherein hydrogen
cyanide is synthesized by reacting methane or methane-containing natural gas, ammonia
and oxygen-enriched air or oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising platinum
or a platinum alloy; wherein the reactants are present in the following molar ratios
##EQU1##
- where a molar ratio of ammonia to the sum of oxygen and nitrogen obeys
the following relationship:
- wherein
##EQU2##
- m=1.25 to 1.40; and a=0.05 to 0.14.
