ZrOCl2·8H2O catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles and substituted 1,4-di(4,5-diphenylimidazol-yl)benzene

A simple one-pot synthetic method for the preparation of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles from benzoin or benzil, ammonium acetate, aromatic aldehydes, and ZrOCl2·8H2O catalyst is described. The ZrOCl2·8H2O catalyst was found to be equally effective for aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes and also for the preparation of substituted 1,4-di(4,5-diphenylimidazol-yl) benzene.