Although alternative synthetic methods for a, 2, 4, 6-tetranitrotoluene (1.) have been rep~ rted,~,~ they are relatively cumbersome. We have therefore investigated the possibility that alkaline nitration of 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene (2) might offer a more convenient route to 1. In contrast with more usual alkaline nitrating agents (alkyl nitrates, tetranitromethane), which did not give the desired tetranitrotoluene, we found that 1 can be prepared in excellent ...