Nitric Acid Associated with Inorganic Solids: A Versatile Reagent and Catalyst in the Chemistry of Aromatics

Abstract The behaviour of the “nitric acid-solid acid” couples in the functionalization of aromatic substrates depends essentially on their ability to trap water produced by the nitration process. In the liquid phase applications, the solid acts either as an acid catalyst or as a dessicant. It is shown, that accumulation of water rapidly inhibits the acid component and leads toward oxidation patterns, whereas a good dessicant allows interesting nitration performances.