Synthesis of a Hexasubstituted Benzene Derivative from Pyridine-4-carbaldehyde and Malononitrile

Previously unknown 2-amino-4,6-di(pyridin-4-yl)benzene-1.3.5-tricarbonitrile has been synthesized by the 2:1 condensation of 2-(pyridin-4-ylmethylidene)malononitrile with malononitrile in the presence of N-methylpiperazine as catalyst. The product structure has been determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis, and a probable mechanism of its formation has been proposed.