A Convenient Synthesis of Dialkyl (E)-2,3-Dicyanobutendioates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1990-27009

Dialkyl (E)-2,3-dicyanobutendioates 4, potentially useful intermediates for the synthesis of a wide variety of heterocyclic compounds, are conveniently prepared by the reaction of alkyl bromocyanoacetates 2 with potassium thiocyanate in acetonitrile followed by treatment with water.The starting alkyl bromocyanoacetates are prepared by the photochemical reaction of the appropriate alkyl cyanoacetate with bromine in carbon tetrachloride.