The reaction of N-(cyanophenylmethyl)acylamides (1) with olefins (2) in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid gave the corresponding 3-amino-2-phenylpyridines (3) in good yields. Similar reaction of ethyl 2-acylamino-2-cyanoacetates (4) with olefins in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid afforded ethyl 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxylates (5) in a one-pot procedure. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed.
