THERMAL CONDENSATION OF IMIDAZOLE WITH TRIFLUOROACETALDEHYDE

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-1139(00)85096-4

The title condensation occurred readily at reflux (100 deg C) with the methyl hemiacetal of trifluoroacetaldehyde and provided 37.3percent of 4(5)-(1'-hydroxy-2',2',2'-trifluoroethyl)-imidazole as the major product, together with 8.8percent of 2-(1'-hydroxy-2',2',2'-trifluoroethyl)imidazole, 7.2percent of 2,4(5)-bis-(1'-hydroxy-2',2',2',-trifluoroethyl)imidazole and 0.4percent of the 4,5-bis-product. (Trifluoroacetyl)imidazoles were prepared by oxidation of these condensation products.Nitration and bromination of the condensation products gave the corresponding nitro- and bromoimidazoles, respectively.