photoreactions of α,β-unsaturatedγ,δ-epoxynitriles 1, 2, 13 and 16 with triethylamine give rise to novel 1 ∶ 1 α-adducts (e.g., 5) efficiently. After treatment with silica gel, the adducts undergo retro-Michael reaction leading to the corresponding α-alkylidenenitrile derivatives (e.g., 3). The epoxy nitrile 1 also reacts with various tertiary amines to afford α-adducts. The reaction of 1 and the silylamine