Synthesis of Substituted 1H-Indazoles from Arynes and Hydrazones

The 1H-indazole skeleton can be constructed by a [3 + 2] annulation approach from arynes and hydrazones. Under different reaction conditions, both N-tosylhydrazones and N-aryl/alkylhydrazones can be used to afford a variety of indazoles. The former reaction affords 3-substituted indazoles either via in situ generated diazo compounds or through an annulation/elimination process. The latter reaction leads to 1,3-disubstituted indazoles likely through an annulation/oxidation process. The reactions operate under mild conditions and can accommodate aryl, vinyl, and less satisfactorily, alkyl groups.