The reaction of 5-X-2-furaldehydes (X = C6H5, COOCH3, COOC2H5, C6H5O, C6H5S, CH3S, 4-Cl-C6H4S, CH3SO2, C6H5SO2, 4-Cl-C6H4SO2) with ethyl cyanoacetate in dry ethanol catalyzed by sodium ethoxide yielded the corresponding ethyl 2-cyano-3-(5-X-2-furyl)acrylates. It was found that the reactions of these esters with cyanoacetophenone or ethyl acetoacetate do not afford the corresponding 4