Reaction of 2,2,3,3-tetracyanocyclopropyl ketones with water

3-Benzoylcyclopropane-1,1,2,2-tetracarbonitrile reacted with water to give 2-benzoyl-1,3-dicyanocyclopropane-1-carboxamide as a result of hydrolysis of the cyano group in the trans position with respect to the carbonyl group and subsequent decarboxylation. The reaction of 3-benzoyl-3-methylcyclopropane-1,1,2,2-tetracarbonitrile with water involved heterocyclization with participation of the carbonyl group and cis-cyano groups, leading to 8-methyl-3,6-dioxo-1-phenyl-2,7-diazatricyclo[3.2.1.0^4,8]octane-4,5-dicarbonitrile. Hydrolysis of 3-alkylcyclopropane-1,1,2,2-tetracarbonitrile followed both reaction paths to produce mixtures of products, including 7-alkyl-4-amino-7-hydroxy-1,9-dioxo-3,8-diazatricyclo[4.3.0.0^1,5]non-3-ene-5-carbonitriles. In all cases, the three-membered ring was retained.