The reaction is shown in flow diagram III wherein LG' is a leaving group such as Cl, Br, I or an activated hydroxyl group such as CF.sub.3SO.sub.3 (triflate).##STR00009##Compounds of formula VIII may also be prepared by reacting a protected 3-iodoindazole of formula XIII with a sodium sulfinate of formula XIV in the presence of copper iodide and dimethyl formamide (DMF) to give the desired compoun