A supported metal oxide wherein the metal oxide is supported on a support having a surface area greater than 50m.sup.2 /gm and a porosity greater than 0.4cc/gm and is supported in an amount between about 25 and about 75%, by weight, within the pores of the support. The metal oxide is generally a transition metal oxide and the supported metal oxide may be prepared by heating a mixture of the support and metal oxide to a temperature above the fusion temperature of the metal oxide, at which temperature the metal oxide is drawn into the pores of the support by capillary action. The supported metal oxide may be employed for the production of nitriles.