One-pot synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetra substituted imidazoles using sulfonic acid functionalized silica (SiO2-Pr-SO3H)

SiO2-Pr-SO3H has been used as an efficient catalyst for an improved and rapid synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles, by four-component, one-pot reaction of 1,2-diketones, aryl aldehydes, ammonium acetate and substituted aromatic amines in excellent yields under solvent-free conditions.