Synthesis of 2-keto-imidazoles utilizing N-arylamino-substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes.
Zarganes-Tzitzikas T., Neochoritis CG., Stephanidou-Stephanatou J., Tsoleridis CA.
A new method for the synthesis of 2-aroyl-, 2-heteroaroyl-, and 2-cinnamoyl-substituted imidazoles in very good yields has been developed. The reaction employs novel nitrogen heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), namely, N-arylamino-substituted NHCs, formed in situ from the corresponding imidazolium salts, and subsequent reaction with aromatic, heteroaromatic, and cinnamic aldehydes without utilizing transition metals or expensive specialized catalysts.