A new synthesis of a#-unsaturated nitriles (13), esters (14), ketones (15), or sulfones (16)[R'R2C= CR3Y, Y= CN (13), Y= COOEt (14), Y= C (= O) R (15), Y= SOzR (IS)] starting from a-bromonitroalkanes (1) or a-chloronitroalkanes (2) is presented. The reaction of 1 or 2 with ethyl a-alkylcyanoacetate (3j, diethyl a-alkylmalonate (4), ethyl a-alkylacetoacetate (5), a-alkyl p-diketones (6), or ethyl a-alkyl-a-sulfonylacetate (7) followed by elimination of ...