Selective nitration of toluene with acetyl nitrate and zeolites

摘要

The nitration of toluene and nitrotoluene was studied using solid acid catalysts and nitric acid in acetic anhydride. Increased para selectivity was observed with zeolite H-beta both for the nitration of toluene and nitrotoluene. The increased selectivity was related to sites located in the micropores of the zeolite and seems to originate from steric hindrance induced by adorption.