Synthesis of Nitro Alcohols by Riboflavin Promoted Tandem Nef-Henry Reactions on Nitroalkanes

We disclose a unprecedented riboflavin promoted Nef reaction of primary nitroalkanes coupled with a nitroaldol reaction. This tandem process allows the synthesis of functionalized nitro alcohols under mild reaction conditions. Secondary nitroalkanes fail to give the expected nitroaldol products although they are consumed under the reaction conditions