REgioselectivities of alkylbenzenes nitration were investigated in the presence of acid-treated bentonite catalysts by using alkyl nitrates. The reaction was highly para-selective. Ortho-to-para ratio was below 0.58 in the nitration products of toluene with n-propyl nitrate instead of 1.67, as compared with sulfonitric acid. Catalyst can be recycled. Catalytic characteristics were discussed by chemical analysis, FTIR, XRD and ESCA. The process is enviro-economics and represents an attractive method for the clean synthesis of a range of nitro aromatic compounds.

Key words: TFOL, ARENE, NITRATE, SELECTIVITY, FOURIER TRANSFORM, INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, X-RAY DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS