Nitration of 2-methylphenols with nitric acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride in ether at-78° C gives 6-methyl-6-nitrocyclo-hexa-2, 4-dienones that can be isolated. Carbanions add to 5, 6- dimethyl-6-nitrocyclohexa-2, 4-dienone to give the 5-substituted 2, 3-dimethyl-2- nitrocyclohex-3-enone anion, which, with additional carbanion, gives the 5-substituted 2, 3- dimethylphenoxide anion by elimination of nitrous acid. Key words: nitration, dienone, ...