Nitration of o-xylene in the microreactor: Reaction kinetics and process intensification

•A fast and safe continuous flow process for the nitration of o-xylene was established.•A kinetic model for the nitration of o-xylene in a microreactor was established.•The mass transfer coefficient of the microreactor was calculated and obtained.•Microreactors largely reduced the residence time compared to other processes.•A method for reducing by-products formation in the nitration reaction of o-xylene.