A novel synthetic route to 2-halo-3,4-dicyanopyridines

2-Bromo-3,4-dicyanopyridine 2 was obtained in moderate yield by reacting 1,1,2,2-tetracyano-3-trimethylsiloxycyclobutane 1 with phosphorus tribromide. Similarly, reaction of 1 with chlorinating reagents such as thionyl chloride and oxalyl chloride led to the corresponding 2-chloro-3,4-dicyanopyridine 3 in 40% yield. A reaction mechanism is suggested.