Abstract

An efficient four-component synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles is described by one-step condensation of an aldehyde, benzil, ammonium acetate, and primary aromatic amine with nanostructure Fe-Cu=ZSM-5 bimetallic oxides in water under ultrasonic irradiation. The short reaction time, good yields, environmental friendly procedure, mild reaction conditions, and convenient operation are important advantage of this protocol. The products generated during the study have been utilized as substrates for synthesis of organosilicon-containing imidazoles. Synthesis of tris (triorganosilyl)methylimidazole derivatives were carried out using organolithium reagent (Me3Si)3CLi, prepared via metalation of (Me3Si)3CH with methyllithium in tetrahydrofuran, in excellent yields.