Aliphatic nitro compounds are strategic reagents in organic synthesis to generate new carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatoms bonds. They can be classified in nitroalkanes, generally involved in Henry or Michael reactions, and nitroalkenes which are extraordinary Michael acceptors and useful dienophiles in Diels-Alder reactions.

A one-pot process refers to the conversion of a starting molecule into the final target occurring in the same reactor and avoiding the isolation of any intermediates. This procces involves a sequence of transformations by adding components at specific time intervals. Differently, in a domino process all reaction components are mixed together for giving, under the same conditions and after a series of transformations, the desired product. 

Avoiding the isolation and purification of intermediates, both approaches are considered nowadays useful tools for limiting the waste generation and the energy consumption according to the green chemistry principles.

The importance of heterogeneous systems is highlighted by the growing numbers of papers that are published on this topic every year. In fact, by a carefully selection of the heterogeneous system, it is possible to increase the chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity of a reaction, and to replace stoichiometric toxic species with easy to handle and often recyclables ones. 

Moreover, the use of solid systems with respect to their homogeneous counterparts, allows to both switch from complicated work-ups to simple filtrations, and minimizes the release and/or exposure issues with evident advantages from the sustainable viewpoint.

Flow-chemistry has been developing in the last two decades, and it can be considered a connection between laboratory research and industry. Flow technique, vs the batch chemistry, brings considerable advantages in synthetic procedures such as:

Better control on heat transfer and on other reaction parameter - Increased mixing ability - Ease to scale-up - Simplicity to perform serial reactions - Controlled use of toxic materials - Controll of reactive and unstable intermediates

In a flow process, pumps move fluid into a tube, and where tubes join one another, the fluids contact one another. If these fluids are reactive, a reaction takes place.