Abstract
A new precursor 2-(1-cyano-2,2-bis(methylthio) vinyl) benzonitrile has been synthesized by the reaction of 2-cyanomethylbenzonitrile, carbon disulfide and methyl iodide under basic conditions. The reaction of 2-(1-cyano-2,2-bis(methylthio) vinyl) benzonitrile with various functionalized aryl/heteroaryl methyl ketones or acetone under basic conditions afforded 4-amino-3-aroyl/heteroaroyl/acetyl-2-methylsulfanyl-naphthalene-1-carbonitriles in good yields through a (5C + 1C) annulation strategy; this involves sequential intermolecular, followed by intramolecular, C-C bond formation reactions. The structure of the product was confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography.