The first conversion of primary alkyl halides to nitroalkanes under aqueous medium.

Primary nitroalkanes and alpha,omega-dinitroalkanes can be easily obtained in aqueous medium by reaction of the corresponding halo derivatives with silver nitrite. The procedure works well with both alkyl bomide and alkyl iodide and proceeds in satisfactory to good yields even in the presence of other functionalities, minimizing the formation of the undesired alkyl nitrites. Copyright 2004 American Chemical Society