2-Acyl-1 1 3 3-tetracyanopropenides undergo intermolecular reductive heterocyclization under the action of mercaptoethanol or sodium borohydride  resulting in the formation of 2-[5-amino-4-cyano-2-alkyl(aryl)furan-3(2H]-ylidene)malononitriles in high yields and excellent purities  These are of interest as potential precursors to organic nonlinear optical (NLO) materials and prospective antibiofilm antimicrobial agents