SYNTHESIS OF 2-(2-ARYLETHYL)IMIDAZOLES BY DIRECT ALKYLATION OF 1-(N,N-DIMETHYLAMINOMETHYL)2-LITHIOMETHYLIMIDAZOLE

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)97957-7

Direct deprotonation of 1-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)2-methylimidazole 4 by n-butyllithium yields anion 5 which can readily undergo alkylation reactions.This finding provides immediate access to 2-(2-arylethyl)imidazoles, 1, which are clumsy to prepare by other methods.