Reaction of tetra-n-butylammonium nitrate and triflic anhydride, CF3SO
2OSO2CF3 (Tf2O), in dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) solvent at O degrees C, p
roduces anhydrous nitronium nitrate, NO2OSO2CF3 (NO2OTf). Subsequent i
ntroduction of various heterocycles and their N-acetylated analogs yie
ld N-nitrated products in 20-76% yield with an overall one-pot procedu
re.