Simple access toward 3-halo- and 3-nitro-pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidines through a one-pot sequence

Herein, a regioselective, time-efficient and one-pot route for the synthesis of diversely substituted 3-haloand 3-nitropyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines in good to excellent yields through a microwave-assisted process is provided. The reaction features a sequential cyclocondensation reaction of beta-enaminones with NH-5aminopyrazoles, followed by a regioselective electrophilic substitution with easily available electrophilic reagents. This methodology is distinguished by its short reaction times, high-yield, operational simplicity, broad substrate scope and pot-economy. Furthermore, these 3-functionalized heterocycles have been successfully used in the synthesis of 3-alkynyl and 3-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines in yields up to 92%.