Process for the preparation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazines and intermediates thereof

A process for preparing a compound of Formula I:

• wherein:
• Ar is phenyl or pyridyl substituted with 0 to 5 R3;
• each R1 and R2 is, independently, H, (C1-C8)alkyl, or (C1-C6)alkoxyalkyl;
• each R3 is, independently, H, halo, CN, nitro, (C1-C4)alkyl, (C1-C4)alkoxy, (C1-C4)haloalkyl, or (C1-C4)haloalkoxy;
• and
• each RA and RB is, independently, (C1-C4)alkyl;
• comprising:
• (a) contacting a compound of Formula III:
• with POX3 in the presence of an ammonium halide salt and an amine selected from diisopropylethylamine, diethylphenylamine, diisopropylaniline, diethylaniline, diisopropylisobutylamine, tribenzylamine, triphenylamine, tricyclohexylamine, or diethylisopropylamine, wherein X is halo, to provide a compound of Formula II:
• and;
• (b) contacting said compound of Formula II with NHR1R2 to provide said compound of Formula I.