| abstract |
This invention relates to an improvement in a process for the manufacture of a nitroaromatic compound produced by the mixed sulfuric-nitric acid nitration method. The improvement resides in the refining of the aqueous acid mixture and comprises the following sequential steps: (a) contacting the mixed aqueous acid mixture, after nitration, with an oxidizing or a reducing agent under conditions effective for removing contaminant nitrous acid; (b) contacting the aqueous acid mixture in step (a) with feed aromatic compound to remove contaminant organics and residual nitric acid and then, if necessary, (c) contacting the remaining acid mixture with sufficient oxidizing agent under oxidizing conditions to remove residual organic components. |