In a continuation of our studies1 of the synthesis of new photochromic systems based on dithienylethenes, we examined the reaction of 3,4-bis(2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)cyclobut-3-ene- 1,2-dione 1 with hydroxylamine in order to prepare 3-cyano- acrylic acid derivatives via the Beckmann rearrangement. The dithienyl derivatives of acrylic acid are important intermediates in the synthesis of photochromic dithienylethenes based on maleic anhydride and maleimide,2 and they ...