Methods of making indazoles are described. The methods involved reacting an aromatic aldehyde with a nitrogen source to form a nitroso aromatic aldehyde. The nitroso aromatic aldehyde is reacted with a reducing agent to form an indazole which ultimately can be used to form desired indazoles which are preferably pharmaceutically active products. The process of the present invention further permits the formation of enantiomerically enriched or pure indazoles such as aminoalkyl indazoles.