2-Trimethylstannylated benzo[b]furan, benzo[b]thiophene, N-substituted indoles and pyridine afford the corresponding nitro derivatives in regioselective fashion upon treatment with tetranitromethane (using sun-lamp irradiation in the case of N-containing heterocycles) or with dinitrogen tetroxide. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.