An adiabatic process for making mononitrobenzene by the nitration of benzene which minimizes the formation of nitrophenols and dinitrobenzene by-products. The process uses a mixed acid having less than 3 wt % nitric acid, 55 to 80 wt % sulfuric acid, and water. The initial temperature of the mixed acid is in the range of 60 to 96° C. The nitration reaction is complete in about 300 seconds and produces less than 1,200 ppm nitrophenols and less than about 80 ppm dinitrobenzene. The reaction can be carried out in a plug-flow or a stirred pot reactor, or a combination of such reactors.