Regioselective Nitration of Phenols and Phenyl Ethers Using Aluminium Nitrate on Silica as a Nitrating System

Silica supported aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3)3·9H2O) was found to be an excellent reagent for the nitration of phenols and phenyl ethers. This procedure works efficiently on most of the examples at room temperature yielding nitro derivatives in fair to good yields with high regioselectivity. The present methodology evidenced a considerable enhancement in the reaction rate along with high o-selectivity, excellent yields, ease of handling and the simplicity in work up.