Toluene and chlorobenzene dinitration over solid H3PO4/MoO3/SiO2 catalyst

► A novel catalyst H3PO4/MoO3/SiO2 was characterized and used in nitration. ► On the surface domains of phosphomolybdic acid (HPM) are obtained. ► Dinitrotoluene is obtained with very high yield i.e. 96 wt.% in mild conditions. ► Dinitrochlorobenzene is obtained with only twelve-fold excess of nitric acid. ► It is sulfuric acid free and solvent free nitration of aromatic compounds.