Regioselective synthesis of fused benzopyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines under solvent-free conditions

New 6,8-dihydro-5H-benzo[f]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines 6 have been obtained in a novel solvent-free three-component reaction involving β-tetralone along with 5-aminopyrazoles 1 and benzaldehydes 2. The isomeric 6,10-dihydro-5H-benzo[h]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines 9 could not be prepared in a similar fashion directly from α-tetralone, but were obtained by the reaction of amines 1 with benzylidene-derivative 10 of α-tetralone in similar conditions. The yields of quinolines obtained via this novel protocol were good and the reaction times varied from few minutes to just few seconds.