The preparation and crystal structures of twofold push-pull butatriene 2-cyano-5,5-bis(dimethylamino)penta-2,3,4-trienentrile 9 and butadiene 2-cyano-5.5-bis(dimethylamino) penta-2.4-dienenitrile 4 with bis-dimethylamino and dicyano substituents are described. These compounds may be compared with the known corresponding ethylene derivative 1 ,I -dicyano-2,2-bis(dimethy1amino)ethylene 5. The exceptionally short central bonds in 9 and 4 are in agreement with the earlier proposed concept of cumulogy and of vinylogy to 5.Vinylogous activation of the methyl group by cyano substituents is much stronger than by ester substituents.' Thus, et hylidenemalononitrile I condenses with N,N-dimethyldichloromethyleneaminium chloride 22 to the new 2-chloro dienamine 3 whereas the diester analogue fails to react.' The substitution of the chlorine atom in 3 with N,N-dimethylamine leads to the twofold push-pull butadiene 43 (Scheme 1). Compound 4 is the vinylogue4 of the known I,l-dicyano-2,2bis(dimethy1amino)ethylene 5 (Scheme 2).