A base-promoted cascade reaction of α,β-unsaturated N-tosylhydrazones with o-hydroxybenzyl alcohols: highly regioselective synthesis of N-sec-alkylpyrazoles

Abstract

An efficient method for the synthesis of N-sec-alkylpyrazoles through a base-promoted cascade cyclization/Michael addition reaction of α,β-unsaturated N-tosylhydrazones with ortho-hydroxybenzyl alcohols has been developed. The desired products containing di- or triaryl groups at the same carbon atom were afforded in good to excellent yields with excellent regioselectivities (>20 : 1). Moreover, a three-component reaction of ortho-hydroxybenzyl alcohols, α,β-unsaturated N-tosylhydrazones and saturated N-tosylhydrazones also took place to afford pyrazoles in good yields. This reaction offers a new route to triarylmethanes with a simple operation and is applicable for large-scale synthesis.