A straightforward synthesis of α-substituted acrylonitriles is described using 4-cyano-3-oxotetrahydro-thiophene (c-THT) as an acrylonitrile surrogate. This unprecedented two-step sequence featuring a palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation (Pd-AA) and a retro-Dieckmann fragmentation provides a general entry into diversely substituted 1,4-dienes.