Phenacylmalononitriles reacted with triphenylphosphine and carbon tetrachloride in
an Appel-type, cyclization/aromatization reaction to afford 5-aryl-2-[(triphenylphosphoranylidene)amino]-3-furonitriles
in yields of 75–92%. The reaction proceeded smoothly in the presence of excess amounts
of Ph3P and CCl4 without any base or catalyst at room temperature. The structure of one product was
confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.
Key words
Appel reaction - iminophosphoranes - triphenylphosphine - furanimines - acylmalononitriles