A highly efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of tetrasubstituted imidazoles

An efficient synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles is achieved by four component cyclocondensation of benzil or benzoin, aniline or benzyl amine, aldehyde and ammonium acetate by using novel polymeric catalyst [poly(AMPS-co-AA)] under solvent-free conditions. The key advantages of this process are high yields, shorter reaction times, easy work-up, purification of products by non-chromatographic method and the reusability of the catalyst.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (93 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Poly(AMPS-co-AA) was synthesized according to the literature. ► Poly(AMPS-co-AA) was used as a catalyst for synthesis of tetrasubstituted imidazoles. ► This polymer is an efficient and reusable catalyst for this process.