One-Pot Coupling–Coupling–Cyclocondensation Synthesis of Fluorescent Pyrazoles

Consecutive four-component coupling–coupling–cyclocondensation syntheses of pyrazoles and pyrimidines were developed by taking advantage of the provisional, sequentially Pd-catalyzed one-pot generation of alkynones from aryl iodides, ethynylmagnesium bromide, and acid chlorides. This one-pot methodology allows the concise, diversity-oriented generation of a set of donor-, acceptor-, and donor–acceptor-substituted pyrazoles, which are interesting fluorophores. Most distinctly, donor–acceptor pyrazoles display remarkably red-shifted emission maxima and pronounced positive solvochromicity, spanning an overall range from 363 nm (cyclohexane) to 595 nm (acetonitrile). DFT and TD-DFT calculations elucidate the electronic structure and the photophysical behavior. Upon photonic excitation, considerable charge-transfer character becomes apparent, which rationalizes the origin of huge Stokes shifts and solvochromic behavior.