p-Toluenesulfonic acid catalyzed regiospecific nitration of phenols with metal nitrates

Highly regiospecific mononitration of phenols and substituted phenols is accomplished employing a metal nitrate and a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid in acetone. An exclusive ortho-selectivity was observed with excellent yields. A variety of metal nitrates were used to obtain o-nitrophenols exclusively in good to excellent yields. The use of p-toluenesulfonic acid is key for the selectivity observed.