NaNO2–Ceric ammonium nitrate mediated conversion of acrylic esters and Baylis–Hillman derived acrylic esters into corresponding β-nitro acrylic esters

A variety of acrylic esters, including those derived from Baylis–Hillman reactions, react with NaNO2–ceric ammonium nitrate to form the corresponding β-nitro alcohols and whose dehydration, via their mesylates, leads to β-nitro acrylic esters, in good to excellent yields. Further, β-nitro acrylic esters containing a mesylate group , obtained from the Baylis–Hillman products, react with NaN3 to form 2-cyano-3-substituted acrylic esters in excellent yields.