Abstract The condensation of aliphatic aldehydes with malononitrile and cyanothioacetamide gives 4-alkyl-2, 6-diamino-3, 5-dicyano-4 H-thiopyrans which recyclize into 4-alkyl-6-amino3, 5-dicyanopyridine-2 (IH)-thiones. The latter are easily S-alkylated with