A concise and regioselective synthesis of 1-alkyl-4-imidazolecarboxylates

[GRAPHICS] Reaction between ethyl 3-NN-(dimethylamino)-2-isocyanoacrylate (1) and a primary amine (2) regioselectively affords 1-alkyl-4-imidazolecarboxylates (3) in good yields (52-89%). The method is applicable to unhindered and hindered amine substrates, as well as those containing reactive functionality such as alcohols and secondary and tertiary amines.