Figure 1. Rationale for the design of 2-(substituted benzylidene)malononitrile analogs.

R represents a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a bromo group, and may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents. In the synthesis of BMN12, 1, 4-dioxane was added to improve the solubility of 3, 5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, the starting material.