Aldol addition of enolizable 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to 2-cyanobenzaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary amine has been reported. Biotransformation of 2-cyanobenzaldehyde by Euglena gracilis Z cultured photohetero-trophically has been reported. Application： 2-Cyanobenzaldehyde may be used: in the base-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolinones； in the synthesis of 3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindoles, via Baylis-Hillman reaction； in the synthesis of 3-(N-substituted amino)-1-isoindolenones