The kinetics of the oxidation of toluene by nitric oxide over nickel oxide-aluminium oxide catalyst has been studied in the temperature range 280-380-degrees-C. A rate equation R(n) = k(t)P(t)k(n)P(n) / (k(t)P(t) + k(n)P(n)) was deduced, assuming a steady state involving a two-stage irreversible oxidation-reduction process. The model represented the data satisfactorily for the conversion of toluene to benzonitrile.