The esters of 2-cyanopenta-2,4-dienoic acid of the present invention may be prepared in accordance with the procedure set forth in US. Pat. 3,316,227 by reacting an appropriate Z-cyanoacetate with acrolein in the presence of a catalyst such as zinc chloride in accordance with the following equation: 0 H [I ZnClr RO-C-CHa-CN HCCH=CH2 Dioxane wherein R is an alkenyl group of 2-10 carbon atoms typifi