Synthesis of 3,5-difunctionalized 1-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines involving palladium-mediated coupling reactions

Indirect iodination of 2-chloro-nicotinonitrile gave 2-chloro-5-iodonicotinonitrile, which was cyclized with methylhydrazine to lead to 3-amino-5-iodopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine. Position 3 was then protected by pivaloyl group and the resulting 5-iodo-3-pivaloylaminopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine was engaged in palladium-promoted coupling reactions with various reagents to give 3-pivaloylamino-5-substituted compounds. Deprotection and iododediazoniation followed by cross-coupling reactions in position 3 afforded novel unsymmetrical 3,5-disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine species.