A process provided for the production of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde from 2-nitrotoluene, in which 2-nitrotoluene is converted, by bromination by a radical mechanism, to 2-nitrobenzyl bromide in the form of a bromination oil containing 20 to 50% or more of 2-nitrobenzyl bromide, and the bromination oil is oxidized directly with a mixture of dimethylsulphoxide and sodium bicarbonate in a weight ratio of 3:1 to 10:1 at temperatures of up to 100.degree. C. and the 2-nitrobenzaldehyde is subsequently isolated via the bisulphite adduct, to give 2-nitrobenzaldehyde in high purity and high yield. The process also has the advantage of a very short reaction time. The 2-nitrobenzaldehyde produced is an important intermediate, for example in the production of pharmaceutically active 1,4-dihydropyridines.