The title compounds were efficiently synthesised starting from aryl methyl ketones in 3 steps. Knoevenagel condensation of aryl methyl ketones with malononitrile gave the corresponding crotonitriles (5a-f). Methyl groups of the crotonitriles (5a-f) were then efficiently brominated by refluxing and lightening the reaction media to give bromocrotonitriles (6a-f). The bromocrotonitriles (6a-f) were finally cyclised by treatment with NaSH to give the title compounds.