Conversion of trinitrotoluene into high value compounds

摘要

The present invention is directed to the synthesis of useful products from the explosive trinitrotoluene. This substance has a limited shelf life as a reliable explosive and large quantities of it have and will become surplus. Ecologically safe, and preferably commercially useful ways of disposing of it are therefore much to be desired. In the present invention the end products are nitroindoles of the general formula 4-Z1,6-Z2 indole wherein Z1 and Z2 are the same or different and are halo or nitro provided at least one of said groups is nitro.