Although ethyl (2-cyanoethyl)-acetoacetate (I) position by ail cLbsorption curve. 4 When 111 was has been known for more than twenty years,'not refluxed with benzoyl chloride in benzene arid the iriuch has been published concerning the reactions product isolated (after treatment with water) there of this now readily available compound. In two was obtained ethyl (3-benzamidopropyl)-ncetoacerecent publications it was shown that I (a) was hy-tate. ...