Iron(III) chloride catalysed three-component Grieco condensation: Synthesis of tetrahydropyrido[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines/quinazolines

Three-component Grieco condensation reaction of 3-aminopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine, formaldehyde/benzaldehyde and electron rich alkenes in presence of iron(III) chloride gave tetrahydropyrido[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines/quinazolines in single pot. The sequence of reactions is formation of di-azadiene in situ and the subsequent regioselective addition of alkenes in aza-Diels Alder type reaction. The structure and stereochemistry of the products were confirmed by spectral data and single crystal X-ray crystallography.