Reactivity of 7-(2-dimethylaminovinyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines: Synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrido[3,4-e]pyrimidine derivatives as potential benzodiazepine receptor ligands. 1

A series of 7-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines were reacted with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal to give the corresponding dimethylaminovinyl derivatives. These were reacted with ammonium acetate affording, through a ring closure, a number of 6-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrido[3,4-e]pyrimidines bearing various substituents on the pyrazole ring. The 6-acetyl-2-hydroxy-7-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine was used as starting material for obtaining some O-alkyl derivatives. Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of 2-benzyloxy-6-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrido[3,4-e]pyrimidine led to the 2-hydroxy derivative.