The invention relates to an process for the production of nitroparaffins from hydrocarbons higher than methane, by nitration with nitrogen peroxide in the presence of oxygen, introduced in the form of air, wherein the nitration is carried out at a pressure which is between 8 and approximately 14 bars, the reactant gases being preheated under the reaction pressure and introduced into the reaction zone between 150* and 330*C, the gaseous effluents originating from the nitration zone being subjected to a rapid cooling or quenching.