Condensation of ethyl 2-acetylaceto-acetate with hydrazine, arylhydrazines yielded ethyl 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-4-carboxylate (III, R = H) and ethyl 1-aryl 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-4-carboxylates (III, R = aryl), which were hydrolyzed to the corresponding acids.