The invention relates to a
nitration method having the following principles: a
phosgene species is converted with two equivalent silver nitrates into a double-mixed anhydride of
carbonic acid and
nitric acid, known here as
carbonic acid dinitrate (I). Said operation is carried out in situ, and the formed dinitrate decomposes spontaneously. In addition to
carbon dioxide,
nitrate ions and nitronium ions are formed, said ions comprising electrophiles which are necessary for
nitration. The solution which is used is
acetonitrile, and is insignificant if the
alcohol species is dissolved or suspended. The necessary equivalent silver nitrates are introduced into the
system and optionally heated or cooled to the desired temperature. Subsequently, the acid
chloride is introduced slowly, drop by drop or slowly little by little.
Phosgene,
diphosgene,
triphosgene and
chloroformic acid ester can be used as
carbonic acid dichloride and monochloride, and their
thiocarbonic acid analogues. A brown colouration and precipitated
silver chloride display the formation of the carbonic acid reactants, said brown colouration rapidly discolouring due to an immediate reaction of the nitronium ions with the substrate with is to be nitrated. Towards the end of the addition of
phosgene, the brown colouration remains for longer and longer until it no longer disappears. Then, it is stirred for another hour at
room temperature. In the event of high acid-sensitive educts, non-nucleophilic
nitrogen bases such as DBU can be added to the
system in order to intercept the formation of
nitric acid.