Direct Formation Of 2-Substituted 2h-Indazoles By A Pd-Catalyzed Reaction Between 2-Halobenzyl Halides And Arylhydrazines

A direct and operationally simple method for the regioselective synthesis of 2-aryl-substituted 2H-indazoles is reported. The Pd-catalyzed reaction between easily available 2-bromobenzyl bromides and arylhydrazines employing Cs2CO3 as the base and t-Bu3PHBF4 as the ligand in DMSO at 120 degrees C in a sealed tube delivers the 2-substituted-2H-indazoles in a single synthetic step with yields up to 79%. The new method is based on a regioselective intermolecular N-benzylation followed by intramolecular N-arylation and oxidation.