AbstractReactions of some aminobromo‐ and dibromoisoquinolines with KNH2in liquid NH3have been investigated. Compounds with an amino group and a bromo atom in positions α to the heteroatom, show a very fast ring opening, leading too‐cyanobenzyl cyanide. The 1,4‐substituted aminobromoisoquinolines do not react; 4‐amino‐3‐bromoisoquinoline undergoes ring opening intoo‐cyanobenzyl isocyanide, 3‐amino‐4‐bromoisoquinoline ring contraction to 1‐cyanoisoindole. The dibromoisoquinolines react primarily by nuc