Esmaeili
et al. have reported the isocyanide-based three-component condensation reaction for the synthesis of iminocyclopentenes. According to their results,
cyclohexyl isocyanide, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, and
(ethoxymethylene)malononitrile are refluxed in toluene to afford the highly substituted iminocyclopentene derivatives in high yields. The simple and readily available starting materials, lack of need for catalysts, and neutral reaction conditions are the main advantages of this method.