Synthesis of 1,2,4-Trisubstituted-(1H)‑imidazoles through Cu(OTf)2‑/ I2‑Catalyzed C−C Bond Cleavage of Chalcones and Benzylamines

Abstract

1,2,4-Trisubstituted-(1H)-imidazoles have been synthesized by the Cu(OTf)2- and I2-catalyzed unusual C−C bond cleavage of chalcones and benzylamines. After the α,β-unsaturated C−C bond cleavage, the β-portion is eliminated from the reaction. Various aryl- and heteroarylsubstituted chalcones and benzylamines were well tolerated in this unusual transformation to yield the trisubstituted-(1H)-imidazoles.