Synthesis of α-arylnaphthalenes from diphenylacetaldehydes and 1,1-diphenylacetones

Condensation of diphenylacetaldehydes and 1,1-diphenylacetones with malonodinitrile and cyclization of obtained aryl-ylidenemalonodinitriles in concentrated sulfuric acid leads to 1-amino-4-arylnaphthalene-2-carbonitriles. The benzannulation reaction is accompanied by a quasi-aromatic rearrangement. Preliminary tests of some synthesized aminonitriles have revealed their considerable biological activity against phytopathogenic fungi.