Abstract: Nitro compounds are the main components of explosive wastewater. Most nitro compounds are poisonous. This paper studied the ultraviolet spectra and HPLC separation conditions of eight nitro compounds, including HMX, RDX, 1,3,5-trinitrobenze, 1,3-dinitrobenzeze, Nitrobenzene, TNT, 2-Amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Their optimal determination wavelengths are 228 nm, 227 nm, 227 nm, 237 nm, 272 nm, 230 nm, 226 nm, 244 nm respectively. The HPLC method is employed with ZORBAX SB-C18 column (3.0 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) and a UV detector. The mobile phase was methanol mingled with water (Vmethanol:Vwater=50:50) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL·min-1. The eight nitro compounds can be separated well in 13 min, the detection limits are less than 0.8 ng and the recoveries are more than 95%.