O-Arylsulfonyl hydroxylamines via a decarboxylative rearrangement

(E)-O-Arylsulfonyl-N-(2-nitroalk-2-enyl)hydroxylamines were easily obtained in good yields starting from (E)-nitro allylic alcohols, the crucial step being an inorganic base-catalyzed decarboxylative rearrangement of proposed labile unsaturated carbamates. A possible mechanism for the outcome of the reaction, characterized by the unusual retention of the sulfonyloxy group, is proposed.