One-Pot Synthesis of 2,6-Dicyanoanlines

Significance

2,6-Dicyanoaniline derivatives are not only of interest to the field of natural products and bioactive compounds, but also in the area of materials chemistry. These benzene derivatives adorned with both electron donors and acceptors tend to be highly fluorescent materials with possible applications in nonlinear optical materials and organic electronic devices. The authors have established an efficient, one-pot synthesis of 2,6-dicyanoanline derivatives with functional handles for further modification. This method has the potential to provide starting material for a range of interesting organic materials.