Scope of nitriles with respect to β-enaminonitriles^a.

^aReaction conditions: (1) 1 (0.40 mmol), LiHMDS (0.20 mmol), 120 °C, 24 h, N₂; (2) 1 (0.20 mmol), 1′ (0.20 mmol), LiHMDS (0.20 mmol), 120 °C, 24 h, N₂; (3) isolated yield.

^bLiHMDS (0.4 mmol).

^c60 °C.

^d140 °C. The absence of E/Z ratio means that no Z-form of product was found.