With the introduction of a sulfonyl group on the exocyclic nitrogen, pyridinium imides
can undergo smooth [3+2] cycloaddition with electron-deficient alkynes to afford pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives after elimination of the sulfonyl group. The transformation
operates with easy-to-handle substrates under mild conditions and brings the yields
to a synthetically practical level. In situ generated isoquinolinium imides can also
produce pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines in a similar fashion.
Key words
dipolar cycloaddition - heterocycles - azomethine imine - pyrazolo[1,5-
a]pyridine - tandem reaction