Nitration of anisole dissolved in different solvents with 70% (w/v) nitric acid was studied. Solvents were observed to strongly influence positional selectivity and rate of nitration. The ortho/para ratio remained virtually constant (-1.2) in nonpolar solvents, but varied considerably with polar solvents. It appeared to have a linear correlation with the ratio of solubility of water in solvent to dielectric constant. Conversion also seemed to be linearly correlated with inverse of solubility of water. Reactions were found to occur in both organic and aqueous phases. In general, better conversions and yields were obtained in nonpolar solvents. The order of preference is : n-heptane > cyclohexane > n- hexane > carbon tetrachloride. The process is also environment friendly. © 2014 Scientific Publishers. All Rights Reserved.