NsONHCO(2)Et in the presence of CaO reacts without solvent with alpha-
nitroalkenes to give 1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-nitroaziridines (62-84%). a
possible involvement of an aza-Michael route is proposed on the basis
of regio- and stereochemical reaction outcome, compared also with the
results of thermolysis of ethyl azidoformate on the same alpha-nitroal
kenes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.