Increasing the yield of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde during benzaldehyde nitration by mixed acid: Chemical and safety investigation

The 2-nitrobenzaldehyde is an important intermediate currently obtained through the nitration of benzaldehyde by means of mixed acid. Unfortunately this process is characterized by poor yield in the target product coupled to considerable risks in its management due to the intrinsic hazard of the nitrations reactions. In the present investigation the production of the target mononitroderivative is studied by a chemical and kinetic point of view. The present investigations aims to clarify the behavior of the system, mixed acid and benzaldehyde, at varying the operative conditions (temperature and chemical composition of the nitrating system) to increase the yield in the product of interest and, at the same time, to reduce the risks connected to the process. © Copyright 2014, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.