A short aid efficient method is reported for the preparation of 3-cyan
oquinoline derivatives. Reaction of 3,3-dimethoxy-2-formyl-propanenitr
ile sodium salt 1 with various anilines 2 afforded (E) enamines 3 whic
h were subsequently isomerized into (Z) enamines 4 and cyclized in a o
ne pot procedure to give 3-cyanoquinolines 5 in good yields. (C) 1998
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