An improved induction heated reactor apparatus involving a reaction zone with inlet and outlet and containing an array of electrically conductive catalyst entities (susceptor entities) comprising pellets, rings, or rods containing a core externally coated with a substantially uniform and complete catalyst metal (e.g., platinum, platinum-iridium alloy, or platinum-rhodium alloy) wrap, coating, or surface impregnated, or containing the catalyst metal as a foam which are inductively heated to produce chemical product from a catalytic reaction. Such an apparatus is particularly useful in the catalytic generation of HCN at elevated temperatures.