The synthesis of imidazo[4,5-c]pyrazol-5-ones (6) is reported. 5-Amino
-4-ethoxycarbonylaminopyrazoles 3a-g when heated at 200 degrees for 2
hours afford 6a-g. In a similar manner imidazo[4,5-c]pyrazol-5-one (6a
) is readily obtained from 4-amino-5-ethoxycarbonylaminopyrazole (5a).