Synthesis of 4-aryl-4,7,8,9-tetrahydro-6H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-5-ones

Reaction of 5-amino-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole ( 1a ) and 5-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole ( 1b ) with dimedone ( 2 ) and p-susbstituted benzaldehydes 3 in ethanol, afforded in all cases tricyclic linear 4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-4,7,8,9-tetrahydro-6H-pyrazolo3,4-b]quinolin-5-ones ( 4a-j ) in good yields. The linear structures and hence the regiospecificity of the reaction were established by nmr measurements.