Synthesis and reactions of the first cyclopentadienyl isonitriles

6-Azidofulvenes without a further substituent in the exocyclic position were transformed into new 1-isocyano- and 2-isocyanocyclopenta-1,3-dienes by photolysis in methanol. These novel functionalized cyclopentadienes are useful building blocks, e.g. as dienes in Diels–Alder reactions.