Reactivity of the -C(Cl)C-CN- moiety towards AlCl3-induced C-C bond forming reactions: a new synthesis of 7-(hetero)aryl-substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

The reactivity of the -C(Cl)C-CN- moiety towards an AlCl3-induced C-C bond forming reaction was investigated through the reaction of 7-chloro-5-phenyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine with arenes and heteroarenes. This study furnished a novel and highly selective methodology for the preparation of 7-(hetero)aryl substituted-pyrazolopyrimidines in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.