4-R-Substituted 2-nitro-1-nitrosoethylbenzenes (R = H, CH3, OCH3, Cl, F) have been synthesized under solvent-free conditions and the mechanism of their tautomerization to 2-isonitroso-1-nitro-2-phenylethanes have been investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy.Key words: tautomerization, pseudonitrosite, mechanism, 2-nitro-1-nitrosoethylbenzene, 1H NMR spectroscopy