Reactions of spirocyclopropane-containing 1- and 2-pyrazolines with electrophilic reagents

Hydrochlorination of spiro(1-pyrazoline-3,1′-cyclopropanes) proceeds regioselectively at the azocyclopropane group to form 3-(2-haloethyl)pyrazoline derivatives. If the latter contain a halogen atom in the heterocycle, they are readily converted into (2-haloethyl)pyrazole hydrohalides. Bromination of 3-cyanospiro(2-pyrazoline-5,1′-cyclopropane) withN-bromosuccinimide at 20°C proceeds with retention of the cyclopropane ring to form 3-bromo-3-cyanospiro(1-pyrazoline-5,1′-cyclopropane), which is converted into (2-bromoethyl)cyanopyrazole in ∼60% yield at ∼20°C after 3–4 days.