| abstract |
Novel 3-halo-2,2-disubstituted propanenitriles of formula <IMAGE> wherein Z represents bromo or chloro and A, together with the carbon atom to which it is attached, represents a 5,6 or 7 membered saturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, are useful as intermediates for preparing substituted pyrimido[1,2-a]indoles. The intermediates can be prepared by a novel process which comprises condensing a 2,2-disubstituted ethanenitrile with a dihalomethane in the presence of a non-nucleophilic strong base. |