KEYWORDSEthyl 2-amino-3-cyano-4-phenylnicotinates (8), could be readily synthesized via reacting ethyl propiolate with benzylidenemalononitrile in the presence of L-proline as a catalyst and subsequent rearrangement of the so formed 2-aminopyran (7), with acetic acid in the presence of ammonium acetate. A series of 2-amino and 2-hydroxyarylazonicotinates monoazo disperse dyes (12a-c), were prepared in a good yields via condensation of arylhydrazonals (11a-c), with active methylene nitriles. The compound 9…