Recent advances in the synthesis of cyclic compounds using α,α-dicyanoolefins as versatile vinylogous nucleophiles.

α,α-Dicyanoolefins are utilized in a wide range of transformations for the synthesis of organic architectures. This review discusses the mechanisms, scope, and applications of the vinylogous reactions of α,α-dicyanoolefins in the synthesis of cyclic molecules, covering the literature from the last 13 years.