Abstract An efficient synthesis of new N-alkyl-and N-aryl-3-oxido-1H-imidazole-4- carboxamides based on exploration of inexpensive, commercially available ethyl acetoacetate, paraformaldehyde and primary amines is described. Representative compounds were tested in selected transformations, such as 'sulfur-transfer reaction'leading to imidazole-2-thiones and isomerization to corresponding imidazol-2-ones. Strong ...