Metal phthalocyanine catalyzed oxidation of 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulfonic acid to 4,4′-dinitrostilbene-2, 2′-disulfonic acid

The effects of catalyst, alkali concentration, 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulfonic acid concentration, reaction temperature, and time of preparation of 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid from 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulfonic acid was investigated. The results showed that the liquid-phase oxidation of 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulfonic acid under optimal conditions gives 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid in 81.8% yield and in 96.7% purity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.