Thermolysis of the 3-bromo-1-nitro-lH-indazoles 5a, b in refluxing benzene results in the evolution of bromine and NO2 affording the 3-bromo-1H-indazoles 6a, b, the dinitro-M- indazoles 2a, b, and the 1-phenyl-1H-indazoles 7a, b and 8a, b. In refluxing toluene only 6a, b and 2a, b are formed in addition to benzyl bromide. The structure assignments, particularly the assignment of the 1-position for the phenyl group in 7a, b and 8a, b, are based on 13C ...