A route to the synthesis of previously unknown α-heteroatom substituted nitrones

α-Heteroatom substituted nitrones have been synthesized for the first time by the reaction of α-lithiated cyclic aldonitrone 1,2,2,5,5-pentamethyl-3-imidazoline 3-oxide with HgCl2, (CH3)3SiCl, (C2H5)3GeCl, (n-C4H9)3SnBr and Ph2P(O)Cl. α-Chloronitrone was prepared for the first time by direct chlorination of α-lithiated aldonitrone using TsCl.