Conversions of 9-bromo(cyano)-4-azafluorenes and 1,2-di(4-azafluoren-9-yl)ethane under conditions of the Michael reaction

9-Bromo(cyano)-4-azaflourenes are converted to di(4-azafluorylidene-9) or 9,9-di (β-cyanoethyl)-4-azafluorene under the conditions of the Michael reaction (acrylonitrile, ethoxytrimethylphenylammonium), depending on the temperature. 1,2-Di(4-azafluoren-9-yl)ethane was synthesized, and its cyanoethylation was performed. © 1985 Plenum Publishing Corporation.