Microwave assisted synthesis and crystals structures of 2-imidazolines and imidazoles

A series of 2-imidazolines and imidazoles has been synthesized using green synthetic methodologies. The preparation of 2-imidazolines was performed by cyclization of nitriles with ethylenediamine. The use of microwave irradiation in solvent-free conditions enabled 2-imidazolines to be obtained in high yields within short reaction times. Aromatization of imidazoles was performed under microwave irradiation in toluene and using Magtrieve (TM) as the oxidant. The X-ray structures for five of these derivatives are provided. In all cases, the molecules are assembled into chains through N-(HN)-N-... hydrogen bonds. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.