Nanocrystalline MgAl2O4 as an efficient catalyst for one-pot synthesis of multisubstituted imidazoles under solvent-free conditions

An efficient and eco-friendly procedure has been developed using nanocrystalline MgAl2O4 with specific surface area as catalyst for rapid and an improved synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted and 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles under solvent-free conditions in excellent yields. The method has several benefits, such as shorter reaction time, recyclable catalyst and excellent yields.