Potassium dodecatugstocobaltate trihydrate (K5CoW12O40·3H2O): A mild and efficient reusable catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles under conventional heating and microwave irradiation

An efficient method for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubtituted imidazoles by four-component condensation of benzil or benzoin, aldehydes, amines and ammonium acetate under microwave irradiation or classical heating conditions using potassium dodeca tungstocobaltate trihydrate [K5CoW12O40·3H2O (0.1 mol%)] as catalyst is reported. The catalyst exhibited remarkable reusable activity.

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