Direct Aromatic Nitrosation Using 2-Methoxyethyl Nitrite as a NO Cation Source.

This work presents an acid-free method for aromatic nitrosation using 2-methoxyethyl nitrite (MOE-ONO). While originally developed as a NO x radical source in our group, we demonstrate the utility of MOE-ONO as a NO cation source for aromatic electrophilic nitrosation. This method successfully nitrosates phenols, naphthols, and other pronucleophiles, completely suppressing undesired nitration by NO x radicals. Notably, it enables nitrosation of acid-sensitive substrates, which has been difficult to achieve with existing protocols.