Nitroalkenes have proven to be extremely versatile 4pi-components in heterodiene [4+2]-cycloadditions. Our efforts in this area have been intensively methodological with focus on the reaction scope, mechanism, stereoselectivity and transformations of the cycloadducts. The three modes of tandem inter [4+2]/ intra [3+2] cycloaddition, fused, spiro and bridged have been documented. An efficient and highly selective synthesis of (-)-hastanecine has been completed.