The enantioselective synthesis of Ot-Sl1l) StlU. 1'[€ Cl B-nitro nitriles 4 and B-nitroaldehydes 5 by Michael addition of formaldehyde SAMP-hydrazone 1 to nitroalkenes 2 in excellent overall yields and high enantiomeric excesses (ee= 90-> 99%) is described. Compound 1 constitutes a neutral chiral formyl anion and cyanide equivalent. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray structure analysis of the crystalline SAMP-hydrazone 1, 4-adduct ...