Tandem reactions of 1,2-allenic ketones leading to substituted benzenes and α,β-unsaturated nitriles.

One-pot double Michael addition/intramolecular aldol reaction/decarboxylation of 1,2-allenic ketones with cyanoacetate offers an efficient and convenient approach to highly functionalized benzenes. With 2-substituted cyanoacetates, the reaction proceeds via a different tandem process to afford α,β-unsaturated nitriles effectively.