Synthesis of (E)-nitroolefins via decarboxylative nitration using t-butylnitrite (t-BuONO) and TEMPO.

Nitroolefins are usually synthesized using the Henry reaction. Here we report an alternative metal-free decarboxylative nitration protocol for the preparation of the nitroolefins from α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids using t-butylnitrite (t-BuONO) and TEMPO. α,β-Unsaturated carboxylic acids bearing β-aromatic and β-heteroaromatic substituents gave (E)-nitroolefins exclusively under mild conditions. A radical based pathway has been proposed for this decarboxylative nitration reaction.