Nitration of phenolic compounds by metal-modified montmorillonite KSF

The nitration of phenolic compounds with 60% nitric acid (1.2 equiv) has been carried out in the presence of metal-modified montmorillonite KSF, prepared from different metals (V, Mo, W; Sc, La, Yb, Eu, In, Bi, Ti, Zr, Hf) and KSF or nitric acid treated HKSF, as catalysts. These catalysts showed good stabilities and high catalytic activities in nitration process. In addition, these catalysts can be recovered easily and reused for many times in nitration. This process is an eco-safer and environment-benign way for clean synthesis of nitrated phenolic compounds.