Thermal reactions of 1-(hydroxymethy1) indazole and l-(hydroxymethy1)-3-methylindazole with indazole and 3-methylindazole, performed in the presence or absence of Lewis acids, yield symmetrical and unsymmetrical bis (indazoly1) methanes. An isomerization process is proposed as a mechanism for this reaction by comparison of these results with those obtained in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid and other 1-(hydroxyalky1) indalea.
