Vapor phase nitration of toluene over CuFe0.8Al1.2O4

Vapor phase nitration of toluene by using CuFe0.8Al1.2O4 as a catalyst was studied by varying strength of nitric acid (10–69%) as a nitrating agent. Water vapor generated during the reaction acts as a diluent for the exothermic process. Varying the reaction temperature in the range of 100–200 °C revealed that below 125 °C lower conversion of toluene to mono-nitro toluene was obtained while above 125 °C dinitro and oxidation byproducts were obtained. The maximum conversion of toluene to mono nitro toluene was 58% with 77% selectivity towards para nitro toluene.