A series of 7-dimethylaminovinylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines bearing an acetyl or an ethoxycarbonyl group at the 6-position turned out to be useful intermediates for the synthesis of pyrazolo[1, 5-a]pyrido[3,4-e]pyrimidines and 8H-pyrazolo[5', 1:2,3]pyrimido[5,4-d][1, 2]diazepines. These tricyclic derivatives were studied for their affinity for the central benzodiazepine receptor, and meaningful suggestions about the structure-affinity relationship were obtained. Some of the above intermediates were also reacted with S-methylthiourea, to give a mixture of pyrazolo[5', 1': 1, 2]pyrimido[5,6-e][1, 3]diazocines an d pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolines.