Method for synthesizing 2-substituted imidazoles

摘要

The present invention is a method of preparing 2-substituted imidazoles from readily available imidazoles having a leaving group in the 2-position, by alkylating the imidazole under mild conditions to afford a 3-N-alkylated imidazolium salt; and coupling the imidazolium salt with a nucleophile also under mild conditions to afford a 2-substituted 3-N-alkylated imidazolium salt. The reaction product can optionally be isolated and purified. The 2-substituted 3-N-alkylated imidazolium salt is hydrolyzed to afford a 2-substituted imidazole. Alternatively, the imidazole is coupled with a nucleophile in the presence of fluoride ion to provide a 2-substituted imidazole.