Nitration of moderately deactivated arenes with nitrogen dioxide and molecular oxygen under neutral conditions. Zeolite-induced enhancement of regioselectivity and reversal of isomer ratios

In the presence of zeolites, moderately deactivated arenes such as 1-nitronaphthalene, naphthonitriles, and methylated benzonitriles can be smoothly nitrated at room temperature by the combined action of nitrogen dioxide and molecular oxygen. The regioselectivity is considerably improved as compared with the conventional nitration methodology based on nitric and sulfuric acids. In some cases, the minor isomer became favoured to a significant extent, resulting in the reversal of ordinary isomer ratios of nitration products.