Nitration of benzyl acetate (V) with acetyl nitrate was found to produce o-nitrobenzyl acetate (I) and p-nitrobenzyl acetate (II) in 63:37 ratio, with a total yield of 90%. Hydrolysis of (I) and (II) with hydrochloric acid respectively afforded o-nitrobenzyl alcohol (III) and p-nitrobenzyl alcohol (IV).