Metal- and acid-free, TBN-mediated direct CAH nitration of arenes

A metal-free, acid-free, direct and eco-friendly nitration methodology has been devel oped. A tert-butyl nitrite efficiently promotes the direct C-H nitration of electron-rich arenes with good to excellent yields and regioselectivities. The practical utility of this protocol has been demon strated in gram-scale nitration of crown ether and mono nitration of Sesamin. A plausible free rad ical mechanism is proposed based on detailed experimental observations.