The one-step reaction of some amino-substituted heterocycles with diiodomethane to give azacyanines is reported. This useful reaction is of wider application than initially reported and includes the synthesis of new substituted pyrido-, isoquino-, benzimadazo-, and benzothiazoazacyanines 7. Furthermore, treatment of these azacyanines with base generally affects a facile opening of the dihydrotriazinium ring resulting in the formation of ...
