Copper-catalyzed aerobic benzylic sp3 C–H oxidation mediated synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles via a domino multi-component reaction

Abstract

An efficient and practical aerobic benzylic sp³ C–H oxidation as a key step towards the domino multi-component synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles has been reported. This green methodology employs an inexpensive catalytic copper/oxygen system and proceeds under mild reaction conditions. A variety of substituted imidazoles are prepared in moderate to excellent yields from α-methylene ketones using this innovative methodology.