N,N'-Bis(nitroacetyl)diamines were synthesized for the first time by t
he reaction of methyl nitroacetate with aliphatic diamines in H2O or E
tOH in the presence of pyridine or imidazole. In the case of 1,2-ethyl
enediamine, the N-mononitroacetyl derivative was isolated as an interm
ediate product.