Abstract Unprecedented cyclization was observed during N-sulfonylation of 3-[1-(phenylhydrazono)-ethyl]-chromen-2-one in pyridine, affording 3-methyl-1-phenylchromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones. To avoid use of noxious pyridine, reaction was tried in different basic conditions and the best results were obtained with potassium carbonate in acetone. A wide range of substrates bearing either electron-donating