Rapid and efficient microwave assisted method for the regioselective synthesis of 8,8′‐methylene‐bis‐4‐oxo‐1H and 2H‐chromeno[4,3‐C]pyrazoles

The ethyl ester of 5,5′‐methylene‐bis‐salicyclic acid 3 was prepared by the esterification of 5,5′‐methylene‐bis‐salicylic acid 2 . The compound 3 on reacting with ethylacetoacetate yields 6,6′‐methylenebis‐(3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxycoumarin) 4 . The compound 4 was regioselectively converted into either 8,8′‐methylene‐bis‐(4‐oxo‐1H‐chromeno4,3‐c]pyrazoles) 6 or 8,8′‐methylene‐bis(‐4‐oxo‐2H‐chromeno4,3‐c]‐pyrazoles) 7 under microwave irradiation. High yields are achieved even on a gram scale, while reaction times are considerably shortened compared to conventional heating conditions.