PIFA-mediated synthesis of novel pyrazoloquinolin-4-ones as potential ligands for the estrogen receptor

A facile and efficient preparation of pyrazoloquinolin-4-ones, as potential ligands for the estrogen receptor, via a PIFA [phenyliodine(III)bis(trifluoroacetate)] promoted cyclization reaction with overall yields up to 29% over six steps is described. The employed strategy, based on an electrophilic amidation reaction as the key step of the synthesis, allows the generation of a diverse array of derivatives.