Microwave assisted synthesis of nitro phenols from the reaction of phenols with urea nitrate under acid-free conditions

Urea nitrate was found to be an inexpensive, acid-free, and safe nitrating agent that provides mononitration of phenols and substituted phenols in excellent yields with exclusive ortho-selectivity under microwave irradiation. Microwave assisted reactions reduced the reaction times substantially and enhanced the product yields from good to excellent within shorter reaction times.