Abstract
Mononitration of phenol was investigated using iso-propyl nitrate as a nitrating agent over various zeolite catalysts under different reaction conditions. Zeolite H beta with a low Si/Al ratio (12.5) was found to be an active catalyst for nitration of phenol under reflux conditions in dichloroethane, producing 2- and 4-nitrophenols in a ratio of around 1:1. However, zeolites H-mordenite, HY and H beta (with high Si/Al ratio-150 or 300) gave 2- nitrophenol as the major product (ortho/para ratio = ca. 2-3).