Nitration of the tetramethylbenzenes in acetic anhydride at temperatures below-50° C gives the l-acetoxy-4-nitro and 5-acetoxy-2-nitro adducts from the 1, 2, 3, 4 isomer, the 5-acetoxy-2- nitro adduct from the 1, 2, 3, 5 isomer, and the l-acetoxy-4-nitro adduct from the 1, 2, 4, 5 isomer as well as the expected nitro derivatives. Corresponding nitritonitro adducts are also formed as well as side-chain (benzylic) derivatives: nitrates and phenylnitromethanes. ...