Reissert compounds and their open-chain analogs in organic synthesis

Reactions of major synthetic interest employing Reissert compounds (1, 2-dihydro-1-acyl-2-cyanoquinolines and 1, 2-dihydro-2-aqyl-1-cyanoisoquinolines) and related heterocyclic species are surveyed. The chemistry of open-chain analogs of Reissert compounds (i.e., derivatives of N-acyl-α-aminoacetonitriles) is described and compared with conventional Reissert compounds.