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

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.