Abstract A series of dihydropyrazolo[3,4‐ b ]pyridin‐6‐ones 3 was prepared by cyclization of 5‐amino‐1‐aryl‐3‐methylpyrazoles 1 and Meldrum's acid benzylidene derivatives 2 in nitrobenzene. The structure of 4,5‐dihydropyrazolo[3,4‐ b ]pyridin‐6‐ones and reaction orientation were determined by nmr measurements.