Synthesis and crystal structure of some 3,5-pyrazolidinediones

Syntheses of various derivatives of 3,5-pyrazolidenedione are reported. This includes 4-arylidene (alkylidene or aralkylidene)-3,5-pyrazolidinediones, which on epoxidation gave unreported oxiranes. The syntheses of these derivatives were based on either the Knoevenagel reaction of carbonyl derivatives with 3,4-pyrazolidinedione or cyclization of arylidene (alkylidene) malonic acid hydrazide with glacial acetic acid. 4-Arylazo-3,5-pyrazolidinedione derivatives were also prepared by coupling of aryldiazonium salts with 3,5-pyrazolidinedione or cyclization of arylazomalonic acid hydrazide. Reduction of 4-benzylidene derivatives gave the corresponding benzyl derivatives. The structure of the new products was confirmed by elemental and spectral analyses and X-ray crystallography.