It has been ltnown for many years that aromatic aldehydes (I) and nitromethane (11) will undergo a condensation reaction, under alkaline conditions, to yield the alkali metal derivatives of the aci-form of the monohydric ilitroalcohols (111). The free nitroalcohols (IV) can be liberated on acidificatioil of the alkali inetal derivative with acetic acid; however, the products will often dehydrate with extreme ease to form the corresponding a-nitrostyrenes (V) , unless certain ...
