l-Proline as an efficicent catalyst for the multi-component synthesis of 6-amino-4-alkyl/aryl-3-methyl-2,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles in water

An efficient four-component synthesis of 6-amino-4-alkyl/aryl-3-methyl-2,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles involving ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, malononitrile, and various aldehydes using l-proline (10 mol %) in water under mild reaction condition in excellent yields is established. A comparative study of l-proline with γ-alumina, basic alumina, and KF-alumina was also carried out. The generality and functional tolerance of this convergent and environmentally benign method is demonstrated.