Process for nitrating anilides

The process for para nitrating a meta-substituted anilide wherein the meta-substituent is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower acyl, polyfluoro lower alkyl, nitrogen and halogen;

• which comprises subjecting said meta-substituted anilide to a mixed acid solution consisting of nitric acid and oleum wherein the reaction temperature is maintained at from about -20.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C., the nitric acid is present at from about 1 to about 4.5 moles per mole of anilide and the oleum is present at from about 1.5 to about 10 milliliters per gram of anilide.