The reaction of the sodium enolate of the methyl ketone 2 with a range of nitro olefins proceeds readily to give the corresponding Michael adducts in good yields and diastereoselectivities. Subsequent oxidative cleavage of the acyloin moiety provides gamma -nitroalkanoic acids along with (1R)-(+)-camphor, the chiral auxiliary of the process. which can be recovered and reused. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ali rights reserved.