Novel synthesis of N-unsubstituted imidazoles using N-trimethylsilylimines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)61628-3

Cycloaddition of N-trimethylsilylimines 3 with the lithiotosylmethylisocyanates 4 is described. This provides a novel synthesis of 4-substituted and 4,5-disubstituted imidazoles from easily accessible aldehydes or organolithium reagents, under mild conditions and in a one-pot operation.