Reaction of ethyl γ-bromo-β-methoxycrotonate with carbonyl compounds. Synthesis of 4-methoxy-6-substituted-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones and 3-substituted 3-pyrazolin-5-ones

Ethyl β-methoxycrotonate I reacts with substituted carbonyl compounds II in benzene to give 4-methoxy-6-substituted-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones III. The reaction of IIIa and j with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol leads to 3-(1′-thienyl-1-hydroxy)methyl]-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazole (IVa) and 3-1′-styryl-1′-hydroxy)methyl]-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazole (IVj) in good yields. The structure of the products were assigned and confirmed on the basis of their elemental analysis and the electronic absorption, infrared and nmr spectra.