Usual 1-methyl-2-quinolone (MeQone) derivatives are not reactive because of aromatic property in the heterocyclic ring. On the other hand, 8-substituted MeQones have been proved to be highly reactive, which is caused by steric repulsion between the 1-methyl and the 8-substituted groups. When 1-methyl-3, 6, 8-trinitro-2-quinolone was treated with potassium (or trimethylsilyl) cyanide, cyanation proceeded at the 4-position ...
