A facile method for the preparation of 5-nitro-2-aminophenol and its d
erivatives is described Starting from isatins, through Bayer-Villiger
oxidation and nitration of the intermediate 2,3-dioxo-4H-1,4-benzooxaz
ines and hydrolysis of the corresponding nitro compounds to 5-nitro-2-
aminophenols, the procedure is shown to be an effective and reliable r
oute to these compounds. From two new 5-nitro-2-aminophenols thus prep
ared, azo dyes from 2-naphthol and 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazolone-5 were
obtained.