a process is disclosed for producing organic nitriles such as acetonitrile or hydrogen cyanide , in which yields may exceed 90 %, undesirable by - products are not produced , and handling of ammonia gas is avoided . in one aspect , a process includes preparing a feed including ammonium salts and water ; introducing the feed into a reactor containing a catalyst ; and heating the feed in the presence of the catalyst . the catalyst may advantageously include molybdenum on a silica or silica alumina support . the feed may be ammonium acetate in water with about 50 wt % ammonium acetate and the balance water or ammonium formate in water . in another aspect , a process includes preparing a feed including ammonium hydroxide and acetic acid ; introducing the feed into a reactor containing a catalyst ; and heating the feed in the presence of the catalyst .