Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions: synthesis of 3,3-dicyano-N-alkyl-2-arylpropanamide derivatives

A new isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction between an aromatic aldehyde, malononitrile, an isocyanide, and acetic acid efficiently provides 3,3-dicyano-N-alkyl-2-arylpropanamide derivatives in excellent yields in ethanol at 70 °C. This reaction led to the construction of two carbon–carbon bonds and one amide group in a single synthetic step.