A abstract a process for preparing dialkyl amino acrylonitrile by condensing acetonitrile and an acetal of dimethyl formamide the dialkyl amino acrylonitrile is an intermediate for aminomethylene malononitrile a valuable intermediate for thiamine application_number US 57416475 A description as used throughout the specification the term 34 lower alkyl 34 includes both straight and branched chain alkyl groups containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methyl ethyl propyl isopropyl and the like as used throughout the specification the term 34 lower alkanoyl 34 includes alkanoyl groups containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as acetyl propionyl and butyryl the reaction of acetonitrile with the acetal of formula iii to form the compound of formula ii is carried out at a temperature of at least 80 u00b0 c generally it is preferred to utilize a temperature of from 100 u00b0 c to 250 u00b0 c in carrying out this reaction while this reaction can be carried out at atmospheric pressure superatmospheric pressures are utilized when higher temperatures are utilized this reaction can be carried out without the need for utilizing any solvent however if desired an inert organic solvent can be utilized any conventional inert organic solvent such as benzene toluene methylene chloride can if desired.