Reactions of 1,3 diphenylpropen 2 one and β nitrostyrenes with azomethine imines, generated from 6 aryl 1,5 diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes on catalysis with Et 2 O•BF 3 in ionic liquids, were found to proceed with high regio and stereoselectivity to afford the products of the diaziridine ring expansion, viz., [3 aryl 2 phenyltetrahydro 1H,5H pyrazolo[1,2 a]pyrazol 1 yl](phenyl)methanones, 1,3 diaryl 2 nitrotetrahydro 1H,5H pyrazolo[1,2 a]pyrazoles and 5 aryl 6 (3 nitrophenyl) 2,3 dihydro 1H pyrazolo[1,2 a]pyrazolium tetrafluoroborates (hexafluorophosphates). The reactions discovered are new, more simple methods for the syn thesis of bicyclic structures.