Abstract Cycloadditions of α, β-unsaturated acyl cyanides (= 2-oxonitriles) 1–6 to styrene and its p-substituted derivatives 7a–f, h are of inverse electron demand and provide, under mild conditions, regio-and stereoselectively 2-aryl-3, 4-dihydro-2H-pyran-6-carbonitriles 8– 13, generally in good yield. Rates for the cycloaddition of acryloyl cyanide 1 to p-substituted styrenes, determined in competition reactions of substrate pairs relative to that of styrene, ...
