Regioselective synthesis of novel imidazo[1,5-b]pyridazine derivatives from diaminoimidazoles and α-acylacrylonitriles

The heterocyclization of 1,2-diamino-4H-phenylimidazole with α-acylacrylonitriles affords cleanly 7-amino-2-R-5- phenylimidazo[1,5-b]pyridazine-3-carbonitriles. The strating α-acylacrylonitriles can be generated in situ from 3-oxo-3-(het)arylpropanenitriles and triethylorthoformate or dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal, and the products can be prepared in one pot.