The decarboxylative Blaise reaction.

Reaction of aryl nitriles with potassium ethyl malonate in the presence of zinc chloride and a catalytic amount of Hünig's base provided beta-amino acrylates in moderate to good yield. Compared to the classical Blaise reaction, this reaction is safer (endothermic), devoid of lacrimatory reagent, and is possible with 0.5-1.0 equiv of zinc chloride.