α,α-Dicyanoalkenes: versatile vinylogous nucleophiles for organic synthesis

Alpha,alpha-dicyanoalkenes are electron-deficient alkenes and inherently behave as electrophiles. Over the past five years some significant progress has been achieved by using alpha,alpha-dicyanoalkenes as vinylogous donors in C-C bond forming and other functionalisation reactions, especially for the construction of multifunctional products. In this feature article we will present the successful development of vinylogous reactions of alpha,alpha-dicyanoalkenes by our group and other groups.