Synthesis of methyl 4-aryl-6-methyl-4,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo-[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxylates from methyl 4-aryl-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine-5-carboxylates

Novel methyl 4,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxylates 3a–e have been prepared in a two step procedure from the readily available 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine-5-carboxylates 1a–e by treatment with the Vilsmeier–Haack reagent. Further treatment of the novel o-chloroformyl substituted methyl 1,4-dihydropyridine-5-carboxylates 2a–e with hydrazine affords the corresponding methyl pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxylates in good yields. Semiempirical calculations reveal a favoured geometry with a boat conformation in the dihydropyridine system and a planar pyrazole ring.