Facile synthesis of 1H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine-5,8-dione derivatives by a one-pot, three-component reactions

Protonation of the highly reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the reaction between alkyl or aryl isocyanides and electron-deficient acetylenic esters with 3,6-dihydroxypyridazine, leads to a vinylisonitrilium cation, which undergoes an addition reaction with the conjugate base of the 3,6-dihydroxypyridazine to produce dialkyl 3-(alkyl or arylamino)-5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine-1,2-dicarboxylates in good yields at room temperature.