Carbanion of ethyl N-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)glycinate adds to activated nitroarenes mostly in para position to the nitro group. Subsequent oxidation of the resulting σ adducts with DDQ gave respective α-nitroarylated glycine derivatives in moderate yields. The reaction of esters of chiral alcohols such as (-)-menthol or (-)-8-phenylmenthol proceeds with a moderate or high diastereoselectivity leading