Nitration of benzo[g]isoquinoline and its methyl-substituted derivatives

Di- and trinitro derivatives are formed in the nitration under mild conditions (0-5 °C) of benzo[g]isoquinoline and its analogs with a methyl substituent in the pyridine and phenylene rings. The principal reaction products contain a nitro group in the meso position (attached to the C5 atom) and in the phenylene ring. The structures of the nitro derivatives obtained and the position of the nitro groups in the molecules were proved by means of the PMR, IR, and mass spectra. © 1982 Plenum Publishing Corporation.