The tandem [4+ 21/13+ 21 cycloaddition of nitroalkene 1 was initiated efficiently by 1- propenyl ethers as the dienophile. Ethyl (E)-1-propenyl ether reacted highly selectively to give a single nitroso acetal cycloadduct 6. Hydrogenolysis of 6 afforded a single isomer of a- hydroxy lactam 8 wherein the newly installed methyl group occupied the@-configuration. Similarly, ethyl (2)-1-propenyl ether produced an anomeric mixture of cycloadducta 7a ...