This work examined the nitration reaction of the light fraction of coking, a petroleum refining by-product with a high proportion of aromatics and olefins, in the presence of sodium nitrite (NaNO2), an ion-based catalytic system. The light fraction of coking is regarded as a promising feedstock for the synthesis of numerous functional derivatives and comprises a complex hydrocarbon mixture. The response was conducted with 59% nitric acid present at temperatures between 70 and 80 °C, and the mass ratio of the fraction to the acid was 1:1.5. A 61.5% product yield was achieved after two hours. Analysis of the impact of reaction parameters on product yield and selectivity revealed that C – NO2 groups formed primarily. O – NO₂ and other oxidized derivatives were generated in trace amounts, but the presence of C – NO₂ groups as the primary signals was confirmed by the analytical data. These results show that the NaNO₂ catalyst has a beneficial impact on the not only advances the reaction but also offers a safer and greener substitute for traditional mixed-acid systems. The findings imply that ion-based catalytic devices could be effective substitutes for complex hydrocarbon mixture modification.