Synthesis of 4- and 5-disubstituted 1-benzylimidazoles, important precursors of purine analogs

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jhet.5570310215

(Z)-N-(2-amino-1,2-dicyanovinyl)-N'-benzylformamidine 6 has been prepared both from the reaction of benzylisonitrile with the hydrochloride salt of diaminomaleonitrile and from reaction of ethyl (Z)-N-(2-amino-1,2-dicyanovinyl)formimidate with benzylamine