Thirteen examples of the hydrocyanation of diethyl arylidenemalonates to diethyl α-cyanobenzylmalonates by a one-pot, two-step procedure using potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) as an eco-friendly cyanide source, benzoyl chloride as a promoter and potassium carbonate as a catalyst are described. One example of a heteroarylidenemalonate and two examples of alkylidenemalonates were also found to react similarly. The advantages of this protocol are the use of a nontoxic cyanide source, high yield and simple work-up procedure.
