The Michael‐additions of aliphatic, alicyclic, and arylsubstituted nitroolefins and enamines lead to γ‐nitroketones 3 in good chemical and excellent (> 90%) diastereomeric yields (see Table 1). The known threo‐configuration of one type of adducts 3 (entries 8, 10, and 11 of Table 1) can be arrived at by assuming the approach 8 of the Michael‐acceptor and ‐donor; the reaction follows a topological rule, which is formulated and which is applicable to such diverse reactions as the diene synthesis, cyclopropanations, carbonyl olefinations and methylenations, aldol‐ and nitroaldol‐type additions, as well as additions of lithium, boron, and chromium derivatives to aldehydes (see 9, 10, 11, and Table 2).

Carbanions of -chloroalkyl phenyl sulfones and iVJV-dialkyl-a-chloroalkanesulfonamides react with nitrobenzenes to effect direct nucleophilic replacement of hydrogen ortho and para to the nitro group, with vicarious loss of chloride anion, to give the corresponding nitrobenzylsulfonyl derivatives. The reaction occurs much more rapidly than the replacement of such good leaving groups as halogen, methoxy, and phenoxy. Most substituents in the nitrobenzene ring do not interfere with the reaction. The effect of substituents in the nitrobenzene and the carbanion on the orientation of the substitution is discussed.

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