Highly efficient nitration of phenolic compounds in solid phase or solution using Bi(NO3)3.5H2O as nitrating reagent.

[reaction: see text] Bi(NO(3))(3).5H(2)O was used as an efficient nitrating reagent in the nitration of phenolic compounds to give nitrated phenols in good to high yields. The nitration reaction proceeded smoothly by grinding 1 equiv of phenol, 2-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol, or 4-chlorophenol and Bi(NO(3))(3).5H(2)O, and the nitration of other phenolic compounds could be performed in acetone at ambient temperature (22-30 degrees C).