N-substituted amides of 2-cyanopenta-2E,4-dienoic acid

N-Substituted amides of 2-cyanopenta-2E,4-dienoic acid were synthesized by condensation of N-substituted cyanoacetamides with acrolein in a dioxane-DM SO solution in the presence of Zn(OAc)(2). 2H(2)O as a condensing agent. X- ray diffraction study of 3-methylanilide of 2-cyanopenta-2E,4-dienoic acid (2d) demonstrated that the crystal structure of this compound is similar to that of 2-cyanopenta-2E,4-dienoic acid studied previously. However, the pr esence of the meta-tolyl substituent in molecule 2d apparently results in t he fact that the beta-structure, which is typical of 2-cyanopenta-2E,4-dien oic acid, does not exist in the crystalline phase of 2d.