Convenient synthesis of 1a,1b,2,5-tetrahydro-1H-5a-aza-cyclopropa[a]indenes by base promoted cyclodimerization of 1,1-dicyano-2-aryl-3-benzoylcyclopropanes

1,1-Dicyano-2-aryl-3-benzoylcyclopropanes in acetonitrile in the presence of triethylamine underwent cyclodimerization reaction to afford the novel polyfunctionalized 1a,1b,2,5-tetrahydro-1H-5a-aza-cyclopropaa]indenes in moderate yields. These polycyclic compounds can be more conveniently synthesized by the one-pot domino reaction of N-phenacylpyridinium bromides with arylidene malononitriles.