Method of preparing 5-nitrofurfural diacetate

A method of preparing 5-nitrofurfural diacetate comprising nitrating a compound selected from the group consisting of furfural and furfural diacetate at a temperature ranging from -10.degree. to +10.degree. C;

• said nitrating being effected by gradually, simultaneously, and separately adding said compound and a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids into acetic anhydride having a temperature ranging from -10.degree. to +10.degree. C with constant stirring of the resulting reaction mixture;
• molar ratios of the compound being nitrated, nitric and sulphuric acids being maintained equal to 1:1.1-2:0.036-0.041, respectively;
• said compound and the mixture of acids being added into the acetic anhydride at such rates as to maintain the nitrating reaction temperature at a predetermined level;
• said furfural diacetate, when used as the compound being nitrated, being employed in the form of its solution in acetic anhydride;
• treating the reaction mixture resulting from the nitration with water at a temperature ranging from 0.degree. to 15.degree. C at a weight ratio between water and the starting acetic anhydride of from 1.1:1 to 1.8:1, respectively, and neutralizing it with an alkali to a pH of 3.5-5 at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 25.degree. C, then maintaining the reaction mixture at a pH within said range at a temperature of from 45.degree. to 55.degree. C, and thereafter isolating the desired product from the reaction mixture.