The reaction of selected hydrocarbons with trifluoroacetyl nitrate in trifluoroacetic acid results in hydride ion abstraction and formation of alkyl trifluoroacetate. The reaction of reactive alkyl halides and alkyl methyl ethers with protonated acetyl nitrate in acetic acid affords the corresponding alkyl acetates in good yield. The oxidizing reagent in both reactions is ammonium nitrate which is converted in situ to the nitronium acetate by reaction with an ...