A one-step synthesis of a-acyl a-phenylthio oximes by nucleophilic dehydration of a-nitro ketones is described. Treatment of the a-nitro ketones 7a-c (prepared by reaction of the sodium salt of nitromethane 6 with the acylimidazoles 5a-c) with thiophenol and titanium tetrachloride in the presence of triethylamine gave the phenyl N-hydroxy-2- oxoalkanimidothioates 4a-c in good yield. These products are potentially useful ...
