A method for preparing a compound of formula I: wherein, independently for each occurrence: ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, -N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, - COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; X is CN or CO 2 R; R is C 1-6 aliphatic or aryl; and m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; comprising the steps of a) reacting a compound of formula IA in a first organic solvent wherein, independently for each occurrence: ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, -N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, -COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; and Hal is a halide; with a compound of formula IB: wherein R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic, to form a compound of formula IC: wherein, independently for each occurrence: ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, -COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; X is CN or CO 2 R: R is C 1-6 aliphatic or aryl; and m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; and b) removing the -CO 2 R J group from compound IC in a second organic solvent to form a compound of formula I. ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, -N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, - COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; X is CN or CO 2 R; R is C 1-6 aliphatic or aryl; and m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; a) reacting a compound of formula IA in a first organic solvent wherein, independently for each occurrence: ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, -N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, -COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; and Hal is a halide; with a compound of formula IB: wherein R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic, to form a compound of formula IC: wherein, independently for each occurrence: ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, -COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; X is CN or CO 2 R: R is C 1-6 aliphatic or aryl; and m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; and ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, -N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, -COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; and Hal is a halide; ring A is R 1 is independently selected from -R J, -OR J, N(R J) 2, -NO 2, halogen, -CN, -C 1-4 haloalkyl, -C 1-4 haloalkoxy, -C N(R J) 2, -NR J C R J, -SOR J, -SO 2 R J, -SO 2 N(R J) 2, -NR J SO 2 R J, -COR J, -CO 2 R J, -NR J SO 2 N(R J) 2, -COCOR J; R J is hydrogen or C 1-6 aliphatic; X is CN or CO 2 R: R is C 1-6 aliphatic or aryl; and m is an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; and b) removing the -CO 2 R J group from compound IC in a second organic solvent to form a compound of formula I.