Heterocyclization of Acetamidrazones. I. Synthesis of 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines via ring closure of 6-(2-acylhydrazino)pyridine intermediates

The reaction of N¹-acyl-2-ethoxycarbonylacetamidrazones with ethyl ethoxymethylenecyanoacetate (EMCA) has been examined. The acetamidrazone 1a reacts with EMCA in boiling dimethyl sulphoxide to give the 1,2,4-triazolo4,3-a]pyridin-3(2H)-one 2 in excellent yield. Similarly from the amidrazones 1b-h the 1,2,4-triazolo4,3-a]pyridines 3b-h were obtained. When the reaction between the amidrazones and EMCA was performed in ethanolic solution, the 6-(2-acylhydrazino)-pyridines 4 were isolated. Ring closure of 4 afforded the 1,2,4-triazolo4,3-a]pyridines.