β-Nitro acrylic esters as precursors for the one pot synthesis of polyfunctionalized α,β-unsaturated esters

Conjugate addition of activated methylene derivatives to β-nitro acrylic esters in acetonitrile with DBU (2 equiv) as base, allows the one pot formation of polyfunctionalized α,β-unsaturated esters. The procedure is based on a tandem ‘Michael addition–elimination’ process favoured by the simultaneous behaviour of the nitro group as both an electron-withdrawing and leaving group.