The two step procedure of the Reformatzky reaction with nitrones enables the synthesis of 2-alkyl 3-aryl 5-isoxazolidinones from α-bromo esters and such nitrones, which are too basic for the one step procedure, Diethyl α-bromo methylmalonate is especially suited for the Reformatzky reaction with nitrones, yielding the E-isomer of the corresponding isoxazolidinone. Reaction of ethyl α-bromo butyrate