Nitration on heteroatoms (oxygen and nitrogen) is commonly carried out by reaction of suitable precursors (alcohols and N-acyl or similar species respectively) with strong acids such as nitric acid in admixture with sulphuric acid or acid anhydrides (e. g. acetic anhydride). Such acid mixtures are highly corrosive, giving rise to handling problems, and the post-reaction liquors are often unstable and difficult to dispose of (for further details see Urbanski,"Chemistry & Technology of Explosives", Vols. 1-3, Pergamon Press, 1967 and Vol. 4,1984).

In recent developments in nitration chemistry it has been established that DNPO can be used instead of the acid mixtures referred to above to generate nitrate esters and nitramines in excellent yields from precursors such as alcohols or their O-silyl ethers and silylamines respectively. Applicant's British Patent No. 2281562 describes and claims a process for carrying out such reactions and see also Millar, R. W. & Philbin, S. P., Tetrahedron 1997,514371. In an earlier invention of the applicant (European Patent No.

0223440) strained-ring precursors such as epoxides and aziridines were also employed as substrates for reactions with DNPO to generate nitrate esters and nitramines.

The use of these methods has overcome many of the problems inherent in the older "mixed acid"technology, and has permitted nitrations to be carried out under near stoichiometric conditions as well as enabling the recycling of surplus nitrating agent (this refers particularly to the nitrodesilylation chemistry). Consequently the methods have led to markedly improved atom economy in nitrations of this type.

However, in both of these processes using DNPO, a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, typically dichloromethane (DCM), is required to act both as reaction solvent and as extraction medium for the removal of the product in an aqueous work-up step. Such solvents are environmentally-unfriendly and create considerable pollution in their manufacture, handling (particularly by inadvertent release into the atmosphere) and disposal.

An aim of the present invention, therefore, is to replace the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents by less polluting media (so-called"clean"solvents) whilst retaining the advantages of atom economical nitrations using DNPO as referred to above.

Unfortunately few solvents exist which can act as a carrier for DNPO whilst remaining totally inert: apart from chlorinated hydrocarbons other than DCM (which are, of course, also environmentally-unfriendly), choice within the sphere of organic liquids is restricted to a few relatively polar solvents, principally nitromethane and sulpholane (the other possible contender, acetonitrile, reacts slowly with DNPO) and neither of these compounds is suitable for large-scale exploitation on account of hazard and involatility respectively. It appears therefore that new nitrating systems need to be devised in order to arrive at a wholly environmentally friendly nitration methodology.

Finely-divided solids such as clays of the montmorillonite type (designated K10), and to a lesser extent zeolites, have been used as support materials for solid nitrating agents, notably transition metal nitrates such as copper (II) nitrate (the mixture being called 'Claycop') or iron (III) nitrate (called'Clayfen'). These materials have been used to promote aromatic nitrations with positional selectivity (see, for instance, P. Laszlo, Preparative Chemistry Using Solid Supports, Academic Press, 1987; P. Laszlo, Acc. Chem. Res., 26 607 (1993); K. Smith, A. Musson and G. A. DeBoos, Chem. Comm. 1996,469). However, the conditions employed (known as'Menke conditions') necessitate the use of aggressive solvents such as acetic anhydride, which is required to generate the active nitrating species.

Moreover, applicant has established that when an inert solvent such as hexane is used with the Claycop reagent (Clayfen was discounted owing to its instability), the nitrating ability of the solid reagent is greatly reduced and, in the case of alcohol nitrations, that good yields of nitrate ester products can only be obtained with a few starting materials (e. g. adamantan-1-ol) and only in the presence of additional oxidant (ozone). Furthermore, no nitramines could be prepared under a variety of conditions. Therefore the known solid nitrating agents based on clay supports appear to be unsuitable for the types of clean syntheses which are being sought.

In a variation on this methodology of using support materials for nitration reagents, Brazilian Patent Application No. PI 9203568-0 describes a nitration process where very unstable acyl nitrates are stabilised in solution by adsorption into the pores of a clay mineral.

By this means it becomes feasible to carry out nitration reactions using these reagents.

However the method used involves preparation of the acyl nitrate at a low temperature (typically-20°C) in solution, generally in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent and the only viable route to the acyl nitrate reagent, by reacting silver nitrate with the chloride of a carboxylic acid, involves the use of an expensive and environmentally undesirable starting material, ie. silver nitrate. It will also be appreciated that at no point in this process is the acyl nitrate-clay material actually isolated as a independent reagent but is always generated and used in situ.

It will be appreciated therefore that all of these earlier nitration schemes demonstrate disadvantageous features in a number of respects and none appears to be able to provide a practical, environmentally acceptable and relatively inexpensive reagent and process for effecting efficient nitration reactions under relatively mild conditions.

Applicant has now found, however, that an effective nitrating system meeting all of the desired objectives can be achieved by the incorporation of DNPO in its gaseous form on to a solid support material comprising a montmorillonite clay or a zeolite. Because DNPO is a powerful nitrating agent which does not require a reactive solvent for activation, this technique provides a more versatile nitrating system and one which furthermore is free of any potentially undesirable solvent. In particular, as it can readily be obtained in the gaseous state, DNPO can be introduced into the clay or zeolite without requirement for any solvent to be present and the resultant nitrating material can be readily stored until a requirement for its use arises. This brings with it the advantage of easy handling and a much greater flexibility in use than with any of the above-discussed nitrating agents.

The present invention provides therefore, for use as a nitrating reagent, a montmorillonite clay or zeolite material which has incorporated therein dinitrogen pentoxide in an amount which is sufficient to effect nitration.

There is further provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for the preparation of a solid-supported nitration reagent which comprises exposing a sample of a montmorillonite clay or zeolite material to gaseous dinitrogen pentoxide contained in a stream of ozonised oxygen at a sub-ambient temperature while agitating the solid material.

The montmorillonite clay is preferably of the type known as K10, manufactured by Sud-Chemie of Germany but other clays of the type TOT 2: 1 (as defined in Smith, K (Ed.), Solid Supports & Catalysts in Organic Synthesis, Ellis Horwood, 1992) are also likely to be suitable. Of the zeolites, those designated ZSM-5, zeolite beta, zeolite F720 and zeolite F780 (all H form) (supplied by Zeolyst International Ltd) are suitable. The skilled person will appreciate that it would be a matter of straightforward experimentation to discover which of the available clay and zeolite materials provide the optimum reagent according to the invention in relation to any particular nitration reactions which it is desired to carry out.

The sub-ambient temperature at which the clay or zeolite material is exposed to the gaseous DNPO is preferably a temperature in the range of from-60°C to-20°C, most preferably as low a temperature as possible within this range. The amount of DNPO present in the solid should, as a minimum, be such as will readily make available enough active DNPO to permit a desired nitration reaction to proceed with reasonable rapidity. Typically, the amount of DNPO incorporated in the solid material is of the order of 10 to 20% by weight but higher concentrations may be used, eg. 30% or even higher. The amount incorporated can be readily estimated by measuring the gain in weight of the clay or zeolite after the treatment with the gaseous DNPO. Conveniently an exposure time of about 2 hours will be suitable for obtaining a sufficient concentration of DNPO in the solid material but other durations of exposure may be selected in order to produce a desired concentration of DNPO.

The resultant solid nitrating reagent is conveniently referred to by the term"clay- DNPO"or"zeolite-DNPO"depending on the solid material which is used.

The present invention further provides a method for effecting nitration of an organic compound which comprises bringing together a solution of the compound in an appropriate solvent with an effective quantity of the solid nitrating reagent of the invention, allowing reaction to take place and extracting the nitrated product from the mixture.

Because the reagent is in solid form it can be used with any solvent that is compatible with the substrate to be nitrated. However, preferably the solvent for the nitration reaction will be an inert solvent such as, for example, hexane or another non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent or one of the perfluorocarbons such as perfluoromethyl-cyclohexane (PP2), perfluorodecalin (PP6) or perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (PP11). The solvent should be preferably be as anhydrous as possible in order to reduce the likelihood of decomposition of the reaction product through reaction with any (nitric) acid created from any water present in the reaction mixture. For the same reason it is preferred, wherever possible, to keep the solid nitrating reagent also as dry as possible prior to reaction.

Conveniently the solid nitrating reagent may be suspended in the chosen solvent and the organic compound which it is desired to nitrate then added to the suspension.

Alternatively, the solid reagent may be added to a solution of the organic compound with rapid stirring of the liquid to provide effective distribution of the nitrating agent throughout the liquid. Other methods of effecting the reaction of the DNPO contained within the solid nitrating medium with organic substrates will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

Typically the nitration reaction is carried out at a temperature of from-20°C to 15°C, preferably from around-5 to 0°C, as it is necessary to avoid the use of higher temperatures on account of the relative thermal instability of the DNPO. In fact, it has been observed that this substance, once incorporated into the solid support material, is more stable than in the pure form which provides a further advantage for the nitrating reagent of this invention.

The reagent may be conveniently stored even at ambient temperature for several days if desired.

Reactions with the solid nitrating agent of the invention generally take place quite rapidly within a few minutes but for some substrates a longer reaction time, for example of several hours, may be required. Clearly it is well within the scope of experimentation for the skilled addressee to establish an appropriate reaction time in the case of any particular substrate and for any specific nitrating reagent of the invention.

Using hexane as a solvent for the reaction of clay-DNPO, it has been found that good yields of nitrate esters are obtained from a variety of alcohols as substrates, including n- decanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-methyl-2-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and ethane-1,2-diol (ethylene glycol). For all except the last-named alcohol the yields were in excess of 80%.

The lower yield of ethyleneglycol dinitrate is accounted for by the difficulty in extracting the product on account of its appreciable solubility in water. Where it may be necessary to wash the product off the solid support this can conveniently be done using an environmentally- friendly solvent such as a perfluorocarbon.

In general the efficiency with which these nitrations can be carried out is in marked contrast to the methods employing the transition metal nitrate systems mentioned previously.

For example, with 2-methyl-2-hexanol, Claycop in hexane gives none of the desired nitrate ester, the products instead resulting from dehydration and oxidative cleavage. Moreover, the simplicity of the reaction procedure is noteworthy, with only simple operations such as filtration and evaporation being required, reaction takes place near or slightly below ambient temperature, and no large excess of nitrating agent is required (i. e. the process is atom economic). Added to this is the feasibility now established by applicant's process of using an environmentally-friendly solvent or solvents, for example the hydrocarbon hexane, with in certain cases use of an auxiliary solvent such as a perfluorocarbon to wash off the product.

Clay-DNPO has been used to nitrate n-decyl (trimethylsilyl) ether under similar conditions to those employed with the alcohols mentioned above but with a longer (3 hr) reaction time, gave a good yield (84%) of n-decyl nitrate. Likewise N- (trimethylsilyl) morpholine has also been reacted with clay-DNPO under sirnilar conditions to those employed previously except for a longer (18 hr) reaction time and gave 49% of the expected nitramine, N-nitromorpholine, as a pure product. This result contrasts strongly with the Claycop reaction which did not give any of the nitramine, starting from any of the potential precursors viz. free amine, N-trimethylsilyl or N-acetyl derivatives.

Applicant has therefore shown that several compounds containing the energetic moieties nitrate ester and nitramine can be synthesised cleanly and in good to excellent yield using the clay-DNPO system. Aromatic nitration can also be achieved, giving dinitro benzene derivatives, but the advantages in this case are less marked than for the aliphatic species. It will be readily appreciated by the skilled reader that by carrying out the reactions in hexane as solvent, problems relating to the use of non-environment-friendly materials can be avoided. (Although in the examples which follow dichloromethane has been used in small amounts to recover the product, it is anticipated that even this usage will be obviated by use of other more suitable solvents).

The invention will now be further described with reference to the following examples.

Example 1-Preparation of Clay-DNPO To an oven dried round bottom flask (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower, K10 montmorillonite clay (6.01 g) was added which had been dried in a vacuum oven (ca. 10 mmHg, 30°C) for 5 days. The flask was placed onto one of the collection outlets from the DNPO rig and the clay stirred to ensure that tumbling occurred. The flask was then cooled to-78°C by an external dry ice/acetone bath and DNPO passed through the flask. After 2 h the flask was removed and stoppered and the mass of DNPO deposited determined by the increase in weight. The amount of DNPO deposited was ca. 2 g.

In all of the following examples 2 to 10, where reactions were carried out with clay- DNPO, the material used was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

Example 2-Reaction of Clay-DNPO with 2-Methyl-2-hexanol To a round bottom flask (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower, clay-DNPO (2.44 g, ca. 10.7 mmol DNPO) was added and the mixture cooled to-78°C by an external dry ice/acetone bath. n-Hexane (50 cm3) was added and the resultant suspension was stirred. 2- Methyl-2-hexanol (1.24 g, 10 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred for 2 h at-5°C. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was neutralised using a saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic layer was removed, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford 2-methyl-2-hexanol nitrate as a pale yellow liquid (1.17 g, 69%).

IR (KBr plates, thin film) v crri': 1638 (N02 str), 1298 (NO2 str), 855 (NO2 str).

Example 3-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and n-decanol (in n-hexane) To a round bottom flask (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower, n-hexane (30 cm3) and n-decanol (0.47 g, 2.96 mmol) were added and the resultant solution stirred and cooled to between-5 and 0°C by an external dry ice/acetone bath. Clay-DNPO (2.69 g, ca.

3.33 mmol DNPO) was added and the resultant suspension stirred for 30 min at-5 to 0°C.

The reaction mixture was then filtered and the filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford n-decanol nitrate as a colourless oil (0.41 g, 68%). The clay was washed with dichloromethane (25 cm3) and refiltered. The filtrate was washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a second crop of n-decanol nitrate as a pale yellow oil (0.15g, 24.9 %).

Hplc analysis (RP 18, MeCN: H20 4: 1) was consistent with an authentic sample of n- decanol nitrate. <BR> <BR> <P> IR (KBr plates, thin film) v cm~t: 2927 (CH str.), 2856 (CH str), 1633 (N02 as. str),<BR> 1279 (N0 sym. str), 863 (ONO2 str). Lit. v cm~t: 1632,1280,864 (Millar & Philbin, Tetrahedron 1997,53 4371).

Example 4-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and n-decanol (in acetonitrile) To a round bottom flask (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower and thermometer, anhydrous acetonitrile (30 cm3) and n-decanol (0.47 g, 2.96 mmol) were added and the resultant solution stirred and cooled to between-5 and 0°C by and external dry ice/acetone bath. Clay-DNPO (2.59g, ca. 3.21 mmol DNPO) was added and the resultant suspension stirred for 30 min at-5 to 0°C. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed by evaporation at room temperature. This afforded a pale yellow oil which from IR analysis consisted of a mixture of unreacted starting material and n-decanol nitrate.

IR (KBr plates, thin film) v cm~l: 3346 (OH str), 1635 (N02 as. str), 1278 (NO2 sym. str), 1039 (C-OH str), 864 (ONO2 str).

Example 5-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and 2-Ethyl-l-hexanol (in n-hexane) To a round bottom flask (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower and thermometer, freshly distilled n-hexane (30 cm3) and 2-ethyl-l-hexanol (0.39 g, 2.99 mmol) were added and cooled with stirring to between-5 and 0°C. Clay-DNPO (2.58 g, ca. 3.20 mmol DNPO) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 30 min with cooling. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a 2-ethyl-l-hexanol nitrate (0.41 g, 78 %) as a colourless oil. The clay was washed with dichloromethane (25 cm3) and refiltered. The filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford a second batch of 2-ethyl- 1-hexanol nitrate (0.1 lg, 21 %) as a pale yellow oil.

Hplc analysis (RP18, MeCN: H20 4: 1) was consistent with an authentic sample.

IR (KBr plates, thin film) v cm-' : 1632 (NOZ as. str), 1279 (NO2 sym. str), 866 (ONO2 str). Lit. v cm-1: 1632,1279,867 (Millar & Philbin, Tetrahedron 1997,53 4371).

Example 6-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol (in acetonitrile) To a round bottom flask (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower and thermometer, 2- ethyl-1-hexanol (0.39 g, 2.99 mmol) and anhydrous acetonitrile (30 cm3) were added. The resultant solution was stirred and cooled to between-5 and 0 °C. Clay-DNPO (2.50g, ca.

3.10 mmol DNPO) was added and the resultant solution stirred and the temperature kept between-5 and 0°C for 30 min. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed by evaporation at room temperature. This afforded a colourless oil which from IR analysis was a mixture of unreacted starting alcohol and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol nitrate.

IR (KBr plates, thin film) v cm-l: 3337 (OH str.), 1635 (NO2 as. str), 1279 (NO2 sym. str), 1057 (C-OH str.), 861 (ONO2 str).

Example 7-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol To a round bottom flask (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower and a thermometer anhydrous n-hexane (30 cm3) and 2-ethyl-1,3-hexane diol (0.52 g, 3.58 mmol) were added and the resultant mixture was stirred and cooled to between-5 and 0°C by an external dry ice/acetone bath. ClayDNPO (3.82 g, ca. 7.67 mmol DNPO) was added and the resultant suspension stirred for 30 min between-5 and 0°C. The reaction mixture was filtered and the n-hexane was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a colourless oil of 2-ethyl- 1,3-hexanediol dinitrate (0.47 g, 55.9 %). The clay was washed with dichloromethane (25 cm3) and the organic layer washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford 2-ethyl-1,3-hexane diol dinitrate with a minor impurity of a ketone (0.23 g, 27.2 %), a total yield of 83.1 %.

IR (KBr plates, thin film) v cm~': 1635 (NOZ as. str), 1280 (NO2 sym. str), 866 (ONO2 str). Lit. v cm-1: 1647,1631,1281,872,865 (Millar et al, Tetrahedron 1993,49 7051).

Example 8-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and Ethylene Glycol To a jacketed vessel (40 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower and thermometer, anhydrous ethylene gylcol (0.477 g, 7.68 mmol) and anhydrous hexane (25 cm3) were added by syringe and the resultant mixture stirred and cooled between-5 and 0°C by an external Haake water cirulator. Clay-DNPO (6.59 g, ca. 15.6 mmol DNPO) was added and a small exotherm was observed. The reaction mixture was stirred for 40 min at-3 °C. The reaction mixture was filtered using a Buchner funnel and filter paper. The filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (15cm3), dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed by the passage of air to afford ethylene glycol dinitrate as a pale yellow oil (0.02 g, 1.7%). The clay was washed with dichloromethane (15 cm3), filtered and the filtrate washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (15 cm3), dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed by the passage of air to afford ethylene glycol dinitrate as a yellow oil (0.43 g, 36.8%). A small impurity was also present from the IR analysis.

IR (KBr plates, thin film) v crri': 1645 (N02 as. str), 1292 (NO2 sym. str), 1271 (NO2 sym. str), 898 (ONO2 str), 844 (ONO2 str) + 1557 (C-NO2). Lit. v crri': 1640,1270, (F.

Pristera, Analyt. Chem. 1953,25 844).

Example 9-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and n-decyl (trimethylsilyl) ether To a jacketed vessel fitted with a magnetic follower and thermometer, freshly distilled n- decyl (trimethylsilyl) ether (1.99 g, 8.63 mmol) and n-hexane (30 cm3) were added. The resultant solution was stirred and cooled to between-5 and °C by an external water circulator. Clay-DNPO (4.5g, ca. 9.12 mmol DNPO) was added and the resultant suspension stirred for 3 h between-5 and °C. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford n-decanol nitrate as a pale yellow oil (1.48 g, 84%).

IR (KBr plates, thin film) v cm~l: 1633 (NOZ as. str), 1280 (NO2 sym. str), 861 (ONO2 str) + small carbonyl peak 1729 (CO str). Lit. v cm'' : 1632,1280,864 (Millar & Philbin, Tetrahedron 1997 53 4371).

Example 10-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and N- (trimethylsilyl) morpholine To a jacketed vessel (100 cm3) fitted with a magnetic follower, thermometer and nitrogen bleed, freshly distilled n-hexane (30 cm3) and N- (trimethylsilyl) morpholine (1.09 g, 6.8 mmol) were added. The resultant mixture was cooled to-5 °C by an external circulator.

Clay-DNPO (4.24 g, ca. 8.5 mmol N205) was added and a small exotherm was observed (ca.

4 °C). Stirring was continued for 2.5 h at-5 °C and the mixture then allowed to warm to room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (20 cm3), dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a pale yellow oil (0.027g). The residual clay was washed with dichloromethane (3 x 25 cm3) and the organic extracts were combined, neutralised with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (30 cm3) and dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford N-nitromorpholine as a pale yellow crystalline solid (0.44 g, 49%).

IR (KBr disc) v crri': 1519 (NNOZ as. str.); 1253 (NNO2 sym. str.) ; 1117 (CH2OCH2 str).

Lit v cm-1 (mull): 1524,1512,1315,1254, (Millar & Philbin, Tetrahedron 1997,53 4371).

'H nmr (60 MHz, CDC13, TMS) 8: 3.8 (s). Lit. S (CDC13): 3.80 (s) (Millar & Philbin, Tetrahedron 1997,53 4371).

Melting Point: 50.2 °C. (Lit. M. Pt. 50-52 °C, W. Emmons et al.; J. Org. Chem. 1958 23,311).

Example 11-Reaction between Clay-DNPO and 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methyloxetane (HMMO) To a round bottom flask (1 OOcm3), fitted with a magnetic follower and thermometer, n-hexane (SOcm3) and HMMO (1.05g, 10.2mmol) were added and the resultant mixture stirred and cooled to between-5 and 0°C by an external dry ice/acetone bath. Clay-DNPO (4g, 10.5mmol) was added and the resultant suspension stirred for 30 min. at-5°C. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was washed with saturates sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford a pale yellow oil (0.013g). The clay residue was washed with dichloromethane (25cm3) and filtered. The filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford a yellow oil (0.69g, ca. 46%).

HPLC analysis using an RP-18 column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile: water (1: 1) showed the oil to be a mixture of two products:- 3- (nitratomethyl)-3-methyloxetane (86%) and metriol trinitrate (13%) were both consistent with authentic samples.

Example 12-Preparation of Zeolite-DNPO N205 was supported on zeolite ZSM-5 (supplied by International Zeolyst Ltd.) using an N205 flow apparatus. N204 is reacted with ozone in the gas phase and N205 is deposited on stirred samples of zeolite. N205 loadings on the zeolite of typically 10-20% were used and the N205/zeolite was stored at-60°C.

General Procedure for Nitrations using N2_5/Zeolite To a stirred mixture of N205/zeolite (a stoichiometric equivalence of N205 to substrate was used) in hexane (ca. 50 ml) under an atmosphere of nitrogen, the substrate (ca. 30mmol) was added keeping the temperature in the range-5°C to 0°C. The reaction mixture was then stirred for typically 1-2 h during which the temperature of the system was allowed to warm to 10 to 15°C. The reaction mixture was then filtered and the filtration residue washed with copious amounts of hexane (ca. 250 ml). The combined organic layers were then quenched with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and separated. The hexane layer was then dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to yield typically a yellow/orange oil.

Example 13-Reaction between 1-Octanol and Zeolite/DNPO in n-Hexane To a round bottom flask (100 ml) fitted with a magnetic follower and thermometer, n-hexane (25 ml) was added and cooled to-10 °C by an external dry ice/acetone bath. Zeolite (ZSM-5)/DNPO (0.53 g, 56% wt/wt N205, z 2.7 mmol) was added and the resultant suspension stirred. 1-Octanol (0.36 g, 2.7 mmol) was added and a small exotherm was observed, the reaction was stirred for 30 min. between-5 and 5°C. The reaction mixture was filtered and the zeolite was washed with chloroform (15 ml) and the organic layer combined and washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford a 1-octanol nitrate (0.38 g, 78%) as a yellow oil.

IR (KBr plates, thin film) n cm~1: 1632 (N02 as. str), 1279 (N02 sym. str), 865 (ON02 str) + small carbonyl stretch 1729.

Example 14-Reaction between 2-Methyl-2-hexanol and Zeolite/DNPO in n-Hexane To a jacketed vessel (100 ml) fitted with a thermometer, stirrer bar and cooled to-5 °C by an external Haake circulator 2-methyl-2-hexanol (0.62 g, 5.3 mmol) and n- hexane (20 ml) were added and the resultant mixture stirred. Zeolite (ZSM-5)/DNPO (4.7 g, 14% w/w DNPO = 6.1 mmol) was added and the suspension stirred for 2 h at-5 °C. The zeolite was filtered off and the filtrate was washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford an unidentified oil (0.003 g). The zeolite was washed with dichloromethane (2 x 20 ml) and the organic extracts were combined, washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford 2-methyl-2-hexanol nitrate (0.74 g, 86%) as a yellow oil.

IR (KBr plates, thin film) n cm-1: 1617 (N02 as. str), 1293 (N02 sym. str), 870 (ON02 str).

When a similar reaction was carried out but with stirring for only 30 min. and using an equimolar amount of DNPO, a 77% yield of 2-methyl-2-hexanol nitrate was obtained.

An authentic sample of 2-methyl-2-hexanol nitrate, prepared by nitration of 2- methyl-2-hexanol using DNPO in dichloromethane, had the following IR spectrum: n cm-1 (KBr plates, thin film): 1616 (N02 asym. str), 1293 (N02 sym. str), 869 (ON02 str).

Example 15-Reaction of other alcohols with Zeolite/DNPO in n-Hexane The following alcohols were reacted by the general method described above: a) ethylene glycol, b) 2-ethyl-1-hexanol; c) 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and d) 3,3-bis- (hydroxymethyl) oxetane.

(a) The nitration of ethylene glycol proceeded smoothly with a yield of 84%.'H Nmr and IR analysis of the product indicated that the reaction had been successful in the production of ethylene glycol dinitrate. HPLC analysis of the product showed the presence of only one compound which had an elution time consistent with the expected product.

IR of product: v 2972 (C-H), 1639 (NO2 asym.), 1292,1271 (NO2 sym.), 864 (ONO2); Lit. [F. Pristera, Analyt. Chem. 1953,25 844]: 1640,1270 crri'.

'H nmr of product: 8 4.8 (s).

(b) The nitration of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol gave a yield of 77%. IR analysis indicated a strong nitrate ester band attributable to 2-ethyl-1-hexanol nitrate, as well as a small hydroxy peak indicating that the reaction had not proceeded through to completion. The IR spectrum also had a peak at 1732 cmi'which is consistent with the stretching frequency of a carbonyl group. It is thought that the nitrating agent may have caused the alcohol to be oxidised to a ketonic species. The nmr spectrum had the expected aliphatic proton signals as well as a broad signal (OH peak) which further confirms the presence of unreacted starting material. The Hplc trace showed the presence of two major compounds.

IR of product mixture: v 3344 (O-H), 2919 (C-H), 1732 (C=O), 1633 (NOZ asym.), 1275 (NO2 sym.), 877 (ONO2) cmi'. Lit. [R. W. Millar & S. P. Philbin, Tetrahedron 1997,53 4371] v cm-1: 1632,1279,867.

'H nmr: 8 0.8-1.4 (m); 3.5 (br. s); 4.2 (d). Lit. [ibid.] 8: 0.90 (t, 6H); 1.3 (m, 8H); 4.30 (d, 2H).

(c) The nitration of 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol gave the dinitrate ester derivative with a yield of 44%. The IR spectrum of the product showed the presence of a nitrate ester group as well as a hydroxy group indicating that unreacted starting material was present.

The IR spectrum also had a carbonyl peak which would again represent the formation of an oxidation product. The Nmr spectrum had the expected aliphatic proton signals as well as a broad signal which is consistent with the presence of unreacted starting material. HPLC analysis of the reaction product showed only one major compound which had an elution time consistent with the desired product, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol dinitrate.

IR of product mixture (mainly 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol dinitrate): v3522 (O-H), 2959 <BR> <BR> <BR> (C-H), 1719 (C=O), 1633 (NOZ asym.), 1275 (N02 sym.), 851 (ONO2) cari'.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> 'H nmr of product mixture (mainly 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol dinitrate): 8 0.9-1.5 (m); 2.2 (m); 4.2 (br. s).

(d) The nitration of 3,3-bis (hydroxymethyl) oxetane was carried out by the general method but the reaction yield was only 24%. IR analysis of the reaction product indicated the presence of a nitrate ester group together with a hydroxy peak (indicating unreacted starting material) and a carbonyl peak (indicating the presence of an oxidation product). Nmr analysis gave a spectrum with several peaks some of which are consistent with those expected from the target dinitrato compound, 3,3- bis (nitratomethyl) oxetane. HPLC analysis of the reaction product showed the presence of at least six compounds. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> IR of product mixture: v 3456 (O-H), 2985 (C-H), 1746 (C=O), 1640 (NOZ asym.),<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 1275 (NO2 sym.), 864 (ONO2) cm~l. Lit. (for 3,3-bis (nitratomethyl) oxetane) [R. W.

Millar & S. P. Philbin, Tetrahedron 1997,53 4371]: 1644,1278,867 cm-1.

'H nmr of product mixture: 8 1.3 (t); 2.0 (s); 4.1 (s); 4.2 (s); 4.5 (s); 4.7 (s). Lit. (for 3,3-bis (nitratomethyl) oxetane) [ibid.] : 5 4.65 (s, 4H); 4.85 (s, 4H).

The general conditions and results for the nitrations described in the examples are set out for convenience in the following table: Summary of Nitrate Ester Syntheses Using Clay-DNPO or HZSM5-DNPO Reagent Solvent Yield Yield Comments (Clay) (Zeol.) 1-octanol n-hexane-78 2-methyl-2-hexanol n-hexane 69 86 Identical to authentic sample (made by DNPO in DCM) n-decanol n-hexane 95 n-decanol acetonitrile (low)-Mixture of nitrate ester and unreacted starting material 2-ethyl-1-hexanol n-hexane 99 77 Zeolite run: additional product present (IR 1732cari') 2-ethyl-1-hexanol acetonitrile 30 Mixture of nitrate ester and unreacted starting material 2-ethyl-1,3-hexane n-hexane 83 44 Clay run: evidence of C=O str. diol Ethylene glycol n-hexane 37 84 Clay run: isolated after DCM wash of clay. Small amount of unknown (IR str 1557 cm~') 3,3-bis (hydroxy- n-hexane-24 Multi-product reaction: C=O- methyl) oxetane containing contaminants (IR 1746cm'') n-decyl (trimethyl- n-hexane 180 84 Evidence of a small amount of silyl) ether carbonyl formation 3- (hydroxymethyl)- n-hexane 46-Product is mixture of NIMMO 3-methyloxetane and some MTN N- (trimethylsilyl)- n-hexane 49 (low) Zeolite product is mixture of morpholine nitramine & unchanged starting material N-n-hexane 58 acetylmorpholine Notes: All clay-DNPO reactions were carried out between-5 and 0 °C using anhydrous solvents.

All alcohol reactions using clay-DNPO had a run time of 30 min. The trimethylsilyl ether (of n-decanol) was reacted for 180 min.

N-trimethylsilylmorpholine and N-acetylmorpholine were allowed to react for 2.5-3 h.

Zeolite-DNPO reactions were, after addition between-5 and 0°C, stirred for 1-2 h at a reaction temperature of 10 to 15°C.

DCM = dichloromethane; NIMMO = 3- (nitratomethyl)-3-methyloxetane ; MTN = metriol trinitrate.