We have investigated the dinitration of toluene over zeolite under various reaction conditions with the aim to produce 2,4-DNT selectively and in high yield. The best result obtained under produce 2,4-DNT in 90%. Therefore, in an attempt to push the reaction to completion, various acid anhydrides (e.g. anhydrides with different carbon chain length, halogenated acetic anhydrides) were used along with various quantities of zeolites and reagents. It was found that chloroacetic anhydride over Hβ produced 2,4-dinitrotoluene in 98% yield in which 2,4-:2,6-DNT was 49:1.
