Microwave-assisted synthesis of imidazoles: reaction of p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide and polymer-bound imines.

A convenient method for the synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted imidazoles has been developed on a polymeric support using base-promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide (TOSMIC) with immobilized imines under microwave irradiation. The immobilized imines were synthesized by the reaction of various primary benzyl amines with 4-formyl-3-methoxyphenoxymethyl polystyrene in the presence of trimethyl orthoformate at room temperature. Cleavage from the polymeric support using trifluoroacetic acid gave the desired 1,5-disubstituted imidazoles with excellent yield and high purity.