Synthesis of (<i>Z</i>)-2-[Quinazolin-4(3<i>H</i>)-ylidene]acetonitriles by the Reaction of<i>N</i>-(2-Cyanophenyl)alkanimidates with 2-Lithioacetonitrile
An efficient preparation of (Z)-2-[quinazolin-4(3H)-ylidene]acetonitriles has been achieved in one pot by addition of 2-lithioacetonitrile to the cyano carbon of N-(2-cyanophenyl)alkanimidates, followed by intramolecular attack of the resulting imino anion on the imidate carbon with loss of alkoxide and subsequent tautomerization.