New synthesis of imidazole derivatives from cyanobenzenes

Abstract : An efficient access to 4-aryl imidazole scaffolds is described in two steps and one operation. Cyanoaryl-imidazolines are easily obtained by a (3 + 2) heterocyloaddition involving cyanobenzenes as dipolarophiles and a non-stabilized azomethine ylide as an electron-rich 1,3-dipole. Oxidation of the crude mixture affords an efficient two-steps access to the corresponding imidazoles.