A safe and simple method has been developed for synthesis of chloroformates derived from 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, and pentafluorophenol, the yields being in the range of 72–96%. The method is based on a heterogeneous reaction of the substituted phenol with phosgene dissolved in dichloromethane catalyzed with solid anhydrous potassium carbonate. The synthesis of 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl chloroformate takes place only ...