Hydrolysis of 2-methyl-2-nitro-1, 3-propanediol with strong alkali (20% NaOH) resulted primarily, as expected, in a reverse aldol decomposition, although a small but significant quantity of free nitrite ion was detected. Hydrolysis with alkaline borate (pH 10) gave high yields of nitrite ion. Possible mechanisms to explain these results are presented. The major product formed in the borate hydrolysis was identified as 2-C-methyl glycerol (2-methyl-1, ...
