Reactions of hydroxylated sodium nitronates with acetic anhydride/pyridine

Reactions with Ac2O/Py of sodium nitronate salts derived from primary or secondary nitroalkanes bearing hydroxyl groups at γ or more remote positions have been studied. In all cases, the results could be explained through an acetic nitronic anhydride intermediate, whose evolution depends on conformational factors, and also on the type of the hydroxyl group.