Substitution Reaction of Tetracyanoethylene with Acetone-Anils

The products from the condensation of acetone-anils ( 1 ) and TCNE reaction were characterized after separation. The main products, tricyanoethylene derivatives ( 7–9 ) were isolated with the malonodinitrile derivatives ( 10–12 ), respectively. The 2+2] cycloaddition product ( 13 ), namely 5-methoxy-3,4-(2′,2′,3′,3′-tetracyanocyclobutano)-l,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline also has been isolated. The distribution of these three products is substituent dependent.