The Mannich reaction of hydrazones coupled with a [4+1] cycloaddition with isocyanides has been used for the synthesis of aminopyrazole analogues of Fipronil(R). The starting cyanohydrazone was prepared with new experimental conditions for efficient diazonium coupling in fluorinated solvents followed by a new sodium cyanide catalysed decarboxylation. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.