A new stereoselective method for the synthesis of substituted 5,6-dicyanobenzofurans by activated aromatic nucleophilic replacement of a bromine atom and a nitro group in 4-bromo-5-nitrophthalonitrile has been developed.

New 5,6-dicyanobenzofurans bearing a 2-(thi)oxotetrahydropyrimidine moiety at the 2-position were synthesized from 2-(2-dimethylaminovinyl)-5,6-dicyanobenzofurans, benzaldehydes and (thio)urea in AcOH.