Reaction of 2,2,3,3-tetracyanocyclopropyl ketones with sodium and potassium hydroxides

Reaction of 2,2,3,3-tetracyanocyclopropyl ketones with water solution of sodium hydroxide after neutralization with sulfuric acid leads to the formation of 4-amino-1-hydroxy-3,6-dioxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1Hpyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-7-carbonitriles. Pivaloyltetracyanocyclopropane reacts in another way and is converted into sodium 6a-tert-butyl-3,4-dicyano-5-oxo-1,5,6,6a-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]pyrrol-2-olate. 1-Benzoyl-1-methylcyclopropane-2,2,3,3-tetracarbonitrile reacts with the sodium hydroxide with the retention of the threemembered ring and the formation of 11-methyl-4-phenyl-3,5,9-triazatetracyclo[5.3.1.01,7.0^4,11]undecane-2,6,8,10-tetraone.