Single-flask polyfunctionalization of the imidazole ring; a streamlined route to the antitumor agent carmethizole

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)61074-2

Three sequential treatments of an N-protected tribromoimidazole with n-BuLi/electrophile in a 1-pot process leads to N-protected 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles. The method can be applied to the preparation of the immediate of carmethizole.