Process for the production of dinitrate esters

A process for preparing 1,2- and 1,3-dinitrate esters from polyols containing 1,2- or 1,3-diol fragments involves using an alkyl or aryl boronic acid to form a cyclic boronate ester derivative which is then reacted with dinitrogen pentoxide to directly generate the dinitrate ester. In the cyclic ester form the 1,2- or 1,3-hydroxyl groups are protected and other reactions may then be carried out on other parts of the molecule of which the fragment forms a part, leaving the dinitrate ester to be produced subsequently in the final step. High yields are obtained at both stages.