Compound 7 was prepared according to procedure described elsewhere [39] .
5.1.1. General procedure for the preparation of 1-substituted 1,5,6,7tetrahydro-4H-indazol-4-ones(8a-h)
To a solution of compound 7 (3 g, 18 mmol) in a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid (2:1) (48 mL) or, for the synthesis of compounds 8 e-g, only glacial acetic acid (30 mL) the suitable hydrazine (18 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 2 h. Then, the reaction mixture was poured onto crushed ice and the solid was filtered off, dried and purified by chromatography (DCM/AcOEt 9:1) as eluent.
5.1.1.1. 1,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-4H-indazol-4-one (8a). This compound was obtained from reaction of 7 with hydrazine hydrate. Yellow solid; yield: 67%; m.p. 165e166 C; IR cm À1 : 3186 (NH), 1647 (CO);