Simple and Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Highly Substituted Imidazoles Catalyzed by Benzotriazole

Benzotriazole is an efficient, readily available, and simple catalyst for the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles in high yields from 1,2-diketones and aldehydes in the presence of NH4OAc via multi-components reaction. The significant features of this one-pot procedure are very simple operation, easy work-up and purification of products.