Zinc-catalyzed synthesis of pyrazolines and pyrazoles via hydrohydrazination

A novel regioselective synthesis of aryl-substituted pyrazolines and pyrazoles has been developed. Substituted phenylhydrazines react with 3-butynol in the presence of a catalytic amount of zinc triflate to give pyrazoline derivatives. The resulting products are easily oxidized in a one-pot procedure to the corresponding pyrazoles.