Reaotion of tripenylacrylonitrile with RMgBr(R=n-C₄H₉,n-C₅H₁₁,n-C₆H₁₃) or the corresponding alkyllithinm compounds gave two main roaotion produots 3 and 4. The structures of 3 and 4 were shown by UV, IR and MS spectra as well as elemental analysis to be alkyltriphenylethylene and alkyltriphenylpropylnitrile formed through the displacement of the nitrite group by an alkyl group and the addition of the alkyl group to the conjugated unsaturated nitrite system respectively.