Melamine trisulfonic acid catalyzed regioselective nitration of aromatic compounds with sodium nitrate under solvent-free conditions

A simple and efficient method for the regioselective nitration of various aromatic compounds by using sodium nitrate in the presence of melamine trisulfonic acid, is reported. This method provides several advantages such as good selectivity between ortho and para positions of aromatic compounds, simple work-up, short reaction times and high yields of the products.