Metal-free approach for the ʟ-proline mediated synthesis of nitrones from nitrosobenzene

Abstract An efficient, and metal-free approach for the ʟ-proline mediated synthesis of nitrones from nitrosobenzene and benzaldehydes has been established. The reaction undergoes very efficiently at room temperature in methanol as a solvent. The reaction is assumed to involve that the initial formation of azomethine ylide and [2 + 3] cycloaddition of nitrosobenzene, followed by the subsequent retro [2 + 3] cycloaddition could offer the desired nitrone.