1-Nitroanthraquinone of good purity was manufd. in .apprx.88% yield by selective nitration of anthraquinone with 100% HNO3 or NO2 in 83-5% HF at 25-35 Deg, cooling to 0 Deg and filtration, optionally with recycling of the HF mother liquor under H2O and by-product removal. [on SciFinder (R)]