Synthesis and Optical Properties of Di- and Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Pyridine Derivatives Containing a Tricyanobutadiene Moiety

Abstract— A method for the preparation of di- and trifluoromethyl derivatives of pyridines containing a tricyanobutadiene fragment has been suggested. Di- and trifluoromethyl-substituted [3-cyanopyridin-2(1H)-ylidene]malononitriles have been synthesized via reaction of malononitrile dimer with fluorinated acetylacetone derivatives. Optical properties of the obtained compounds in solution and in the solid state have been studied.