Nitric Acid → 9-ethyl-3-nitro-9H-carbazole

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 7.3 g of 70% nitric acid (81.1 mmol) in 50 ml acetic acid was added dropwise to a cooled (19°-21° C) acetic acid (200 ml) solution of 15.0 g of N-ethylcarbazole (76.9 mmol). The green reaction solution was then heated on a water bath at 40° C for 2 hours. Upon cooling, addition to 400 ml of water gave a light green precipitate wgich was filtered and air dried. Recrystallization from acetone/methanol gave 13.1 g (71% yield) of 3-nitro-N-ethylcarbazole, mp 118.5°-20° C; the sulfur content (X-ray) was found to be <20 ppm, so that the sulfur in N-ethylcarbazole must be in the elemental or organic (no inorganic) form, most likely the latter, and is easily oxidized to a water soluble form.

Provenance & Evidence