On the Reaction of Malononitrile with Acetylacetone

Abstract

The reaction of malononitrile with acetylacetone in alkaline medium afforded a mixture of 2-amino-4,6-dimethylbenzene-1,3-dicarbonitrile and 4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile, whereas only the latter was formed in alcoholic medium in the absence of a catalyst. The alkylation of 4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile with allyl bromide gave a mixture of N- and O-allyl derivatives.