A direct catalytic synthesis of N-arylimidazoles starting from the corresponding N- arylformamides and N-formylglycine esters is described. Application to different aryl substituted electron-withdrawing and-donating groups provided the analogous heterocyclic compounds in very high yields. The use of copper (I) oxide/proline catalysts allowed the reactions to proceed at room temperature. The first synthesis of N-arylimidazole bearing ...
