Copper-catalyzed N-arylation of imidazoles can be accomplished using (CuOTf) 2· benzene as a copper source and Cs2CO3 as a base in xylenes at 110–125° C. Addition of 1, 10- phenanthroline (phen) and trans, trans-dibenzylideneacetone (dba) was crucial to the success of the process. The products, N-arylimidazoles, were isolated in high yields.
