Perkin communications. A new sequence for the Cα-alkylation of 4,5-dihydroimidazoles
Abstract
The C-alkylation of 1-benzyl-2-(ethoxycarbonylmethylene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroimidazole with halogeno-and dihalogeno-alkanes is described; subsequent removal of the ethoxycarbonyl group provides a new route to 2-alkyl-4,5-dihydroimidazoles. 1,3-Dihalogenoalkanes afford imidazo[1,2-a] pyridines.