This study is to develop a new synthetic method for the nitroarenes via non-electrophilic substitution. Direct nitration at the C-1 position of isoquinoline has never been reported and substitution in isoquinoline under the normal nitration condition occurs at C-5 and C-8. We have demonstrated a facile one-step sythetic method for the nitration of isoquinolines at the C-1 position, which involves the electrophilic attack of a DMSO-Ac2O complex, followed by nucleophilic addition of nitrate ion to this intermediate. Since the reaction is simple and mild, this method has preparative merit since 1-nitroisoquinolines are not readily accessible by other methods. Application to the synthesis of poly nitroarenes from the corresponding anilines was also described.