The reaction of azaallylic anions with ethyl N-[4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl
)oxy]carbamate in the presence of a base gives a mixture of an alpha-a
mino ketone derivative with a slight preference for the (S) enantiomer
and of an alpha-hydrazino ketone derivative as by-product; the same a
zaenolates react with bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)diazene giving the analo
gous alpha-hydrazino ketone derivative, with a slight preference for t
he (R) enantiomer.