Catalyst-free synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles from arylamins, benzonitriles, arylglyoxals, and Meldrum's acid

An efficient and catalyst-free for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles has been developed using a one-pot, two-step reaction of arylamins, benzonitriles, arylglyoxals, and Meldrum's acid. All the products were obtained in good to excellent yields and their structures were established from their spectroscopic data. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.