Regioselective nitration of cumene to 4-nitro cumene using nitric acid over solid acid catalyst

The regioselective nitration of cumene to 4-nitro cumene (4-NC) has been carried out using 70% nitric acid over MoO3/SiO2 solid acid catalyst with high conversion (62%) and selectivity (68%) for 4-NC. A series of MoO3/SiO2 catalysts with different MoO3 loadings (1–20 mol%) were prepared by sol–gel technique and characterized using different characterization techniques. XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the catalyst up to 10-mol% MoO3 loading and formation of α-MoO3 crystalline phase on amorphous high surface area mesoporous silica support at higher MoO3 loading. Maximum conversion and selectivity has been obtained with slower addition of nitric acid and simultaneous azeotropic removal of water formed during the reaction.