SYNTHESIS OF 2-, AND 3-NITROBENZANTHRONE VIA DIRECT NITRATION OF BENZANTHRONE WITH NITRIC ACID/ACETIC ACID

Abstract

Three mono-nitrobenzanthrone isomers (1-, 2-, and 3-nitrobenzanthrone; 1-, 2-, and 3-NBA) were synthesized by reacting benzanthrone (BA) with nitric acid (HNO3) in acetic anhydride at ice-cold conditions. The major product, 2-nitrobenzanthrone (2-NBA), was confirmed using GC-MS via comparisons with a standard sample. On the basis of the elution profiles and fragmentation patterns two other isomers formed were assigned to 1-, and 3-nitrobenzanthrone (1-, and 3-NBA). The average percent yields of 1-, 2-, and 3-NBA were 0.3 ± 0.1%, 10.5 ± 2.6 %, and 6.4 ± 1.3 %, respectively.