A catalyst free protocol has been developed for nucleophilic C-sp2 C-sp3 bond cleavage of alpha-nitroketone in the presence of potassium carbonate to create new C-O and C-N bonds. A series of different substituted alpha-nitroketones could be selectively cleaved and converted into corresponding esters and tosylamides in the presence of alcohols and bromamine-T, respectively. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.