The nitration of ketones with nitric acid in both the liquid and vapor phases has been reported to give extensive oxidation and degradation with only very small amounts of a- nitroketones being isolated. 3 Xitration of ketones with alkyl nitrates in alkaline media has been reported as a good preparative method for a, a'-dinitr~ ketones.~ Although mononitroketones may be obtained in good yields from ketones containing only one a- ...
