Synthesis of 1,3-diaryl-1H-benzo[g]indazoles

A facile three-step synthetic route toward 1,3-diaryl-1H-benzo[g]indazoles 1a–1n starting with 3,4-dimethoxy-2-allylbenzaldehyde (6) in modest total yield is described. The facile route was carried by aldol condensation of aldehyde 6 with aryl methyl ketones 5a–5d in alkaline MeOH at reflux, Knorr pyrazole synthesis of the resulting chalcones 4a–4d with aryl hydrazines 3a–3e in EtOH at reflux followed by DDQ-mediated aromatization in toluene at reflux, and oxidative cleavage annulation of olefins 2a–2n with the one-pot combination of OsO4/NaIO4/HOAc in the aqueous THF at reflux.