• Useful building block in the synthesis of a variety of heterocyclic molecules. For reaction with nitroacetonitrile in a high-yield synthesis of 6-amino-3-cyano-5-nitro-2-pyridone, see: Synthesis, 835 (1991). With ethyl mercaptoacetate, 3-amino-4-cyanothiophene-2-carboxylate is formed in high yield: Synthesis, 1056 (1982). With thiouronium salts, 2-alkylthio-4-amino-5-cyanopyrimidines are obtained: Helv. Chim. Acta, 81, 646 (1998).
• Has also been used in the synthesis of ortho-amino benzonitrile derivatives by cyclization with active methylene compounds: Monatsh. Chem., 120, 891 (1989).