Preparation of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene from 3,5-dichloroanisole

Abstract Nitration of 3,5-dichloroanisole under relatively mild conditions gave 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trinitroanisole (DCTNA) in high yield and purity. Ammonolysis of the DCTNA afforded 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB). Treatment of DCTNA with thionyl chloride and dimethylformamide gave 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TCTNB). Ammonolysis of TCTNB also produced TATB. Comparisons of these routes with that starting from nitration of 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene have been made.