Synthesis of 4-aryl-3-methyl-6-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carbonitrile via a one-pot, three-component reaction

A one-pot, three-component condensation reaction of an aldehyde, 3-amino-5-methylpyrazole and ethyl cyanoacetate in ethanol to give 4-aryl-3-methyl-6-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carbonitriles, in high yields, at reflux, using a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid, is described.