Abstract A one-pot synthesis of 1, 3 and 4-cyanophenothiazines and a two-step approach to 2-cyanoisomer have been developed. The condensation of 2-aminobenzenethiol and 2, 3 or 3, 4-dihalogenobenzonitriles followed by Smiles rearrangement or by intramolecular aromatic substitution gave the desired ring systmes.
