Nitric acid in the presence of P2O5 supported on silica gel—a useful reagent for nitration of aromatic compounds under solvent-free conditions

A variety of aromatic compounds are nitrated to parent nitro aromatic compounds under solvent-free conditions using 65% nitric acid in the presence of P2O5 supported on silica gel is described. This methodology is useful for nitration of activated and deactivated aromatic rings.