Phase transfer catalysis without solvent. Synthesis of cycloalkane-1,1-dicarbonitriles and alkanetetracarbonitriles

Cycloalkane-1, 1-dicarbonitriles 4 and alkane α,α,ω,ω,-tetracarbonitriles 5 have been selectively synthesized in the absence of solvent. Cycloalkane-1, 1-dicarbonitriles have been prepared by reaction of malononitrile with α,ω-dihalogenoalkanes, while alkane tetracarbonitriles have been synthesized by reaction of malononitrile with (ω-bromoalkyl)malononitriles 2, prepared by monoalkylation of malononitrile, or by reaction of monoalkylmalononitriles with α,ω-dibromoalkanes.