Download full text in PDF Opens in a new window. Article suggestions will be shown in a dialog on return to ScienceDirect. ... Please enable JavaScript to use all the features on this page. ... Furan ring in 3-alkyl-4-(2-furyl)-4-oxobutanenitriles is completely oxidized by the RuCl 3 KIO 4 couple to efficiently afford, after esterification, methyl 2-alkyl-3-cyanopropanoates in good yields. ... As pointed out in ref 2, the corresponding 2-pyridyl derivative is completely inert ...