One-step synthesis of imidazoles from Asmic (anisylsulfanylmethyl isocyanide)

Substituted imidazoles are readily prepared by condensing the versatile isocyanide Asmic, anisylsulfanylmethylisocyanide, with nitrogenous π-electrophiles. Deprotonating Asmic with lithium hexamethyldisilazide effectively generates a potent nucleophile that efficiently intercepts nitrile and imine electrophiles to afford imidazoles. In situ cyclization to the imidazole is promoted by the conjugate acid, hexamethyldisilazane, which facilitates the requisite series of proton transfers. The rapid formation of imidazoles and the interchange of the anisylsulfanyl for hydrogen with Raney nickel make the method a valuable route to mono- and disubstituted imidazoles.