β-Aminoenones in the regioselective synthesis of 1,3,5-trialkylpyrazoles. The influence of the substituents in the mechanism and the regioselectivity of the reaction

β-Aminoenones react with monoalkyl hydrazines to give regioselectively 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles. The mechanism and level of regioselectivity depend on both the substitution pattern of the substrates and the reaction conditions. When the least bulky substituent is attached at the β-position of the enone, a high regioselectivity is obtained, usually higher than that from equivalent β-diketones. If the β-substituent is the bulkiest group, the regioselectivity decreases. Nevertheless, in the conditions reported in this paper, it is possible to prepare pyrazoles not obtainable from β-diketones.