In this work, a simple method for the highly selective preparation of valuable dinitronaphthalene from 1-nitronaphthalene employing NO2 as a nitrating agent has been developed. The results demonstrated that HY zeolite as an eco-friendly and stable catalyst exhibits good catalytic performances. The total selectivity to valuable dinitronaphthalene compounds including 1,5-, 1,4-, and 1,3-dinitronaphthalene can reach 87.6 % in our present nitration reaction. Meanwhile, the physico-chemical properties of catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG/DTG, BET, and NH3-TPD, and the probable nitration reaction mechanism was also suggested in this paper. The present nitration process seems to be a mild, eco-friendly, and economical route for the preparation of valuable dinitronaphthalene compounds.