A method for upgrading an aromatics-containing charge composition boiling in the gasoline boiling range comprises i) contacting the charge composition with a nitrating agent under nitrating conditions to form a product comprising nitrated aromatics; ii) hydrogenating a feed containing the product of i) under conditions sufficient to substantially reduce the nitro group of the nitrated aromatics so as to form a product comprising aromatic amines, water and heavy amines; and iii) removing the water and heavy amines from the product of step ii) to provide a gasoline boiling range product of an octane rating greater than the charge composition.