Nitroaldol-reaction of aldehydes in the presence of non-activated Mg:Al 2:1 hydrotalcite; a possible new mechanism for the formation of 2-aryl-1,3-dinitropropanes

The reaction of aldehydes with nitromethane in the presence of Mg:Al 2:1 hydrotalcite at higher temperature yielded the formation of the nitroaldol product and 1,3-dinitropropane. A novel mechanism is proposed.