Process for nitrate ester formation of an α,ω-alkanediol monoacylate

A continuous process for nitrate ester formation of an α,ω-C3-10alkanediol monoacylate, wherein the process comprises a step of:

• reacting a nitrating agent with a solution comprising an α,ω-C3-10alkanediol monoacylate and an inert solvent in a group of pieces of equipment comprising at least two reactors in series, wherein
• the reacting step comprises:
• (i) simultaneously feeding the solution into a first reactor and a second reactor of the at least two reactors in series, and
• (ii) allowing the nitrating agent to react with the solution in the first and second reactors for a mean residence time of about 5 seconds to about 30 seconds.