Facile synthesis of 2-nitroalkanols by tetramethylguanidine (TMG)-catalyzed addition of primary nitroalkanes to aldehydes and alicyclic ketones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)00461-9

Tetramethylguanidine-catalyzed addition of primary nitroalkanes to aldehydes and alicylic ketones constitutes a practical means to perform the nitro-aldol reaction (Henry reaction). The very mild conditions employed, together with the short reaction times, make the procedure tolerant of a range of functionalities and highly versatile for the synthesis of a variety of 2-nitroalkenols.