Zn(NO3)2·6H2O/2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine (TCT) a mild and selective system for nitration of phenols

Certain phenols and naphthols were nitrated regioselectively with Zn(NO3)2·6H2O/TCT in acetonitrile as solvent at room temperature and short reaction time in good yields. The reaction condition was mild. TCT is a cheap and commercially available reagent. It performed as an acid catalyst in this transformation.