Electrophilic Aromatic Nitration Using a Mixed Catalyst of Lithium, Molybdenum, Ytterbium on Silica Gel

A novel mixed catalyst of LiClO4 (15% w/w), Yb(OPf)3 (15% w/w, Pf=perfluorooctanesulfonyl), MoO3 (15% w/w) on silica gel for electrophilic aromatic nitration reaction has been explored. The nitration reactions were accomplished by this mixed catalyst and nitric acid under solvent‐free conditions. Moreover, the mixed catalyst can be easily recovered from the aqueous layer by heating in an oven and reused for the next nitration reaction.