Synthesis of novel bis(nicotinecarbonitrile) derivatives

A series of bis(nicotinecarbonitriles) were prepared via the reaction of bis arylidenemalononitriles with acetophenone in ethanolic potassium hydroxide solution. The isomeric bis(nicotinecarbonitriles) could also be obtained by the reaction of arylidenemalononitriles with bis acetophenone under similar conditions.The reaction was assumed to take place via Michael addition followed by cyclization due to the alkoxide nucleophilic attack at one of the nitrile groups. Alternative syntheses of both isomeric derivatives were also reported.