Patent ID: 7767868
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing trinitrotoluene (TNT) comprising the steps of: (a) at a temperature of less than about 60° C. treating toluene with nitric acid having a concentration of from about 90% to about 99% by weight to produce dinitrotoluene (DNT), such that the DNT is produced at a purity greater than about 98% by weight; and (b) then treating the DNT formed in step (b) with nitric acid having a concentration of from about 98% to about 99% by weight and about one molar equivalent of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid to produce the TNT, such that the TNT is produced at a purity greater than about 98% by weight and without the need to use sulfuric acid.