Patent ID: 8071812

Claim:
A process for preparing 1,3-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzene, which is represented by the structure of the following Formula (I): comprising (a) providing a reaction mixture that comprises 1,3-dihalo-4,6-dinitrobenzene, which is represented by the structure of the following Formula (III): wherein each Z is independently Cl or Br, in a solvent in the presence of ammonia and about 2 to about 25 wt % water (based on the combined weight of water and solvent in the reaction mixture), wherein the solvent comprises an aliphatic dihydric alcohol; and (b) heating the reaction mixture to convert the 1,3-dihalo-4,6-dinitrobenzene to 1,3-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzene.