Patent ID: 8158830

Claim:
A process for preparing 1,2,4,5-tetraminobenzene comprising: (a) providing a first reaction mixture that comprises (i) 1,3-dihalo-4,6-dinitrobenzene, which is represented by the structure of the following Formula (VIII): wherein each Z is independently CI or Br, (ii) ammonia, (iii) an organic solvent, and (iv) about 2 to about 25 wt % water (based on the combined weight of water and solvent in the first reaction mixture); (b) heating the first reaction mixture to convert the 1,3-dihalo-4,6-dinitrobenzene to 1,3-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzene; and (c) contacting the 1,3-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzene with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst to hydrogenate the 1,3-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzene and convert it to 1,2,4,5-tetraminobenzene.