PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 4-NITRO-O-XYLENE

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 4-nitro-o-xylene. Vapor phase nitration of o-xylene using dilute nitric acid over H-beta zeolite has been carried out. The selective formation of 4-nitro o-xylene by vapor phase nitration of O-xylene using dilute nitric acid over commercially available H-beta catalyst. The continuous process of nitration of o-xylene comprises of a reaction carried out in a downflow reactor using o-xylene and dilute nitric acid with mole ratio of 2:1 to 1:2 and WHSV of 0.1 - 0.5 at 100-250° C at atmospheric pressure.