Nitrobenzene, α‐nitronaphthalene, m‐dinitrobenzene, 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene, m‐nitrobenzophenone, m‐nitrobenzonitrile, methyl m‐nitrobenzoate and m‐nitro diphenylsulphone can be hydroxylated with cumene or tert‐butyl hydroperoxide in dipolar aprotic solvents in the presence of strong bases. The hydroxyl group is introduced preferably in p‐position to the nitro group. Attempts to hydroxylate benzophenone, anthraquinone, 2‐ethyl anthraquinone, anthraquinone 2‐sulphonate, benzonitrile and diphenyl sulphone under the same conditions failed. 1‐Nitroanthraquinone delivered 1‐hydroxy, 1,2‐dihydroxy and 1,4‐dihydroxy anthraquinone.

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