Abstract 5-and 8-Nitroisoquinoline and some of their derivatives are aminated in a liquid ammonia solution of potassium permanganate to yield the corresponding 6-and 7-amino compounds. From 5, 7-dinitroisoquinoline the 6, 8-diamino derivative is obtained; 1- nitroisoquinoline has been found to be unreactive. FMO calculations made for a few nitroisoquinolines confirm the experimentally observed regioselectivity of the amination.