PROCESS FOR NITRATING TOLUENE

摘要

PROCESS FOR NITRATING TOLUENE of the disclosure: Toluene is nitrated with nitric acid in the gaseous phase under reduced pressure and at temperatures from about 80 180.degree.C, while using an acid inorganic catalyst consisting of a carrier substance based on SiO2 and/or Al2O3 being impregnated with a tardily volatile inorganic acid such as H2SO4 or H3PO4 and optionally with metal salts of such acids. This process yields essentially p-nitrotoluene, in addition to a smaller quantity of o-nitrotoluene and a very small amount of m-isomer. The technology of the process is simple and provides good yields. The nitrotoluenes - especially the p-nitrotoluene - represent interesting intermediates, for example for the manufacture of dyestuffs.