A one-pot synthesis of 1, 3 and 4-cyanophenothiazines and a two-step a
pproach to 2-cyanoisomer have been developed. The condensation of 2-am
inobenzenethiol and 2,3 or 3,4-dihalogenobenzonitriles followed by Smi
les rearrangement or by intramolecular aromatic substitution gave the
desired ring systmes.