Base-mediated reaction of hydrazones and nitroolefins with a reversed regioselectivity: a novel synthesis of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrazoles.

A regioselective synthesis of 1,3,4-tri- or 1,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyrazoles by the reaction of hydrazones with nitroolefins is described. Mediated with strong bases such as t-BuOK, the reaction exhibits a reversed, exclusive 1,3,4-regioselectivity. Subsequent quenching with strong acids such as TFA is essential to achieve good yields. A plausible stepwise cycloaddition reaction mechanism is proposed.