Dinitrogen Tetroxide Complexes of Iron and Copper Nitrates as New Reagents for Selective Mono- and Dinitration of Phenolic Compounds

Fe(NO3)3. 1.5 N2O4 and Cu(NO3)2. N2O4 are easily prepared reagents for the efficient and selective mono- or dinitration of phenolic compounds. In comparison with metal nitrates, these complexes resemble a synergetic effect on the rates and the yields of the reactions. High ratio of p-nitrophenol formation vs o-nitrophenol is also observed in the mononitration reactions.