A novel dinitro secondary metabolite, 2-nitro-4-(2 ′ -nitroethenyl)phenol has been isolated from a marine source. This metabolite was synthesized first (in 1964 in Japan) and discovered later (in 1991 in India) as a natural product. We describe here a new synthesis via highly accelerated, microwave assisted, nitration reactions using mild reagents. ipso-Substitution of a carboxy group by a nitro group is discussed. ... In the course of a joint Indo-US project 1 ...