The reaction of 3-nitro-4-chlorobenzenesulfinic acid and ethylene oxide to obtain 2-nitro-4-(β-hydroxyethylsulfonyl)chlorobenzene had been studied. Except hydroxyethylation on the sulfur atom of 3-nitro-4-chlorobenzenesulfinic acid to form the target product, 2-nitro-4-(β-hydroxyethylsulfonyl)chlorobenzene, there presented three kinds of side reactions: 1. Condensation and elimination of HCl to form biphenyl sulfone derivatives; 2. Addition to give bisulfonyl ethane derivative via vinyl sulfone; and 3. Hydroxylethylation on O-atom to produce hydroxylethylsulfinate due to the tautomerism of sulfinic acid.