TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The bulk density of particulate support is 0.6-1.2 g/cm3. The average aspect ratio (As) of support before supporting catalyst component and active ingredient is 1.2 or less, and the aspect ratio (ACAT) of support after supporting satisfies the relation: 0.8 less than or equal to ACAT/As less than or equal to 1.2. The carbon nanotubes in carbon nanotube assembly have flatness of 0.9-1, and strand diameter of 10-50 nm. The average aspect ratio of catalyst with respect to average aspect ratio of carbon nanotube aggregate is 1.2 or less. The carbon nanotube aggregate has particle size distribution, which is grown on the aluminum-based particulate support of 0.5-1. Preferred Composition: The catalyst component (a1) is cobalt, and catalyst component (b1) is chosen from iron and nickel. The active ingredient (b1) is molybdenum, and active ingredient (b2) is vanadium. The mass ratio of active ingredients (b1 and b2) is 6-0.1:0.1-6. The concentration of transparent metallic aqueous solution in support catalyst is 0.01-0.4 g/ml. The ratio of particles with number average diameter of 30 mu m, in the support catalyst, is 10% or less. Preferred Process: The support catalyst is baked at 650-800 degrees C. The manufacture of carbon nanotube assembly further involves vacuum drying at 45-80 degrees C before ripening, and baking at 250-400 degrees C after vacuum drying. A portion of aluminum-based particulate support is impregnated in the metal solution immediately before pre-baking, and baked.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The usage amount of catalyst components (a1 and a2), and active ingredients (b1 and b2) satisfy the relations: x=10-40, y=1-20, y/(x+y)=0.1-0.5, p+q=1-20, preferably 0.2-20, and (p+q)/(x+y)=0.1-0.5, where (x and y) are contents (in moles) of catalyst components (a1 and a2), respectively, and (p and q) are contents (in moles) of active ingredients (b1 and b2), respectively with respect to 100 moles support catalyst. The polycarboxylic acid is chosen from dicarboxylic acid, tricarboxylic acid and tetracarboxylic acid.