The base-promoted Nef reaction under aerobic conditions is of very general application since DBU and t-BuOK are able to convert a wide array of simple and functionalized secondary nitroalkanes into the corresponding ketones
The role played by molecular oxygen has been elucidated by performing isotope labelling experiments with 18O2 and reactions on various stereodefined cyclopropylnitroalkanes. On the basis of the obtained results, a mechanism involving a preliminary reaction of dioxygen with the nitronate anion an SET process has been proposed.The intermediate stabilized nitroalkyl radical and the superoxide anion generated in the first step react together giving a peroxide which by loss of a nitrite anion generates dioxirane. The latter compound is a strong oxidizing agent able to convert nitronate anions into the corresponding ketones