Synthesis of 4,4'-Dinitrodibenzyl and 4,4'-Dinitrostilbene

The title compounds were synthesized by oxidative dimerization of p-nitrotoluene. The effects of solvents, bases and oxidizing agents on the dimerization were investigated. The results showed that by selecting appropriate solvents, oxidizing agents, base catalysts and controlling technical conditions the yields of dinitrodibenzyl and dinitrostilbene could be reached 89.4% and 74.6%, respectively.