The reaction of (4-R-benzoyl)(2-bromopyridinium) methylides with ethox
ymethylenemalononitrile is stereoselective and affords 1-(4-R-benzoyl)
-2-ethoxyvinyl]-2-dicyanomethylene- 1,2-dihydropyridines. The structur
e of 1-[1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-2-ethoxyvinyl] -2-dicyanomethylene-1,2-dih
ydropyridine has been established by X-ray structural study.