The novel cascade two-stage reaction between itaconimides and 1,2-diamino-4-phenylimidazole proceeds regio- and chemoselectively to form tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]pyridazines and includes nucleophilic C-addition by the activated C=C double bond and subsequent intramolecular recyclization of the intermediate with the amino group involved.
Keywords: HPLC–HRESIMS; cascade reaction; diaminoimidazoles; imidazo[1,5-b]pyridazines; itaconimides.