Reactions of nucleophilic addition of 2- and 4-mercaptopyridines to 3-phenyl-2-propynonitrile, 4-hydroxy-4-alkyl-2-alkynonitriles, and methyl 2-butynoate (triethylamine, 20-25 or 100degreesC) give rise to the corresponding S-adducts with Z-configuration (for cyanoethylenes), or to a mixture of E- and Z-isomers in 60:40 ratio for methyl 2-butynoate.