Phosphine-catalyzed nitroaldol reactions

Trialkyl phosphines and electron-rich triaryl phosphines are excellent catalysts for the nitroaldol (Henry) reaction. Aryl and alkyl aldehydes participate well in the reaction with nitromethane providing good yields of product. Care should be exercised in the use of phosphine-metal complexes as catalysts for the nitroaldol reaction, as the phosphine can alone function as the catalyst.