Production of pure 1-nitroanthraquinone from nitroanthraquinone mixtures by treating the mixture in an organic aprotic solvent with a primary or secondary amine or a mixture of the same. A pure 1-nitroanthraquinone in which practically no dinitroanthraquinone or other byproducts can be detected is obtained in a high yield. The 1-aminoanthraquinone obtained from this 1-nitroanthraquinone is suitable for all dye syntheses.