The readily available title compound smoothly adds to nitroolefins without any need of base or catalysis, giving β-nitrodimethylhydrazones 3 in high yields. Michael adducts 3 have been successfully transformed into β-nitroaldehydes by ozonolysis and in β-nitronitriles in excellent yields by treatment with MMPP. Therefore, formaldehyde dimethylhydrazone behaves as a new neutral formyl anion and cyanide equivalent, introducing a ...
