Reactions of cyclic alpha -methoxy nitrones, which are derivatives of imida
zole or dihydroimidazole N-oxides, with amines, KOH, or KSH result in the r
eplacement of the MeO group to form cyclic alpha -amino nitrones, hydroxami
c acids, or thiohydroxamic acids, respectively. Analogous reactions occur w
ith C-nucleophiles.