Nitrosation of N,N-dimethylaniline and nitration of benzene in molten salts

The nitration of reactive aromatic compounds in molten nitrate- pyrosulphate mixtures has previously been offered as evidence in support of the existence of NO2+ in the melt. An examination of the nitrosation of N,N-dimethylaniline in molten (K,Na)NO2 and a re- examination of the nitration of benzene using molten nitrates indicated that these reactions were occurring in the vapour phase above the melt. Consequently such experiments can no longer be offered in support of the existence of NO2+ in molten salts.