Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing 5-nitro-acet-2,4-xylidine comprising:(a) dissolving acet-2,4-xylidine in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution, said aqueous solution containing from 86 to 92% by weight of sulfuric acid, the weight ratio of sulfuric acid to acet-2,4-xylidine being from 3.5:1 to 6.5:1;(b) nitrating the resultant solution at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 15.degree. C. in a mixed acid containing nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and from 10 to 25% by weight water; and(c) recovering 5-nitro-acet-2,4-xylidine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing 5-nitro-acet-2,4-xylidine comprising(a) dissolving acet-2,4-xylidine in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution,(b) nitrating the resultant solution with a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid,(c) adding the resultant nitration mixture to an aqueous sulfuric acid solution containing from 25 to 45% by weight of sulfuric acid, while maintaining the temperature at from 20.degree. to 50.degree. C. to thereby produce a slurry containing sulfuric acid in a concentration of from 30 to 50% by weight based solely on the weight of water and sulfuric acid, the total amount of sulfuric acid in said slurry being such that the molar ratio of sulfuric acid to the nitro-acet-2,4-xylidine isomers is from 53:1 to 10:1, and(d) recovering 5-nitro-acet-2,4-xylidine.