Abstract: An efficient methodology to access a library of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles from a broad range of amidines and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes/ketones via a C(sp(2)) H amination has been developed. This method represents a new and simple way to prepare highly substituted imidazoles from easily available starting materials, inexpensive catalysts, and with good functional group tolerance in good to excellent yields.

Key words: C[BOND]N bond formation;cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) reaction;highly substituted imidazoles;iron(III) catalysis;α,β-unsaturated aldehydes/ketones

Published in ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS, 357 (18):3868-3874; 10.1002/adsc.201500701 DEC 14 2015