Homoallyllic nitrone isomerization: convenient enantioselective synthesis of homoallylic nitrones and homoallylic hydroxylamines.

An α-regioselective synthesis of homoallylic nitrones from aldehydes is reported on the basis of [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. The products are obtained in up to 99% enantioselectivity and up to 80% yield under environmentally benign and mild reaction conditions.