Acetonitrile → 5-Benzoyl-2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole

Participants

Reaction Steps

An acetonitrile solution (15 ml) of 2-oximino-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione (1.38 g, 7.22 mmoles) and methyl 2-aminobutyrate (0.85 ml, 7.22 mmol) was refluxed under nitrogen for 26.4 h. After concentrating the cooled reaction mixture, the residue was dissolved in 10 ml of ethanol and 20 ml of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide. This mixture was refluxed 4.9 h, cooled, then extracted with ethyl acetate. Removal of the solvent in vacuo gave 0.65 g (42% yield) of 5-benzoyl-2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole and 5-acetyl-2-ethyl-4-phenylimidazole (86:14 respectively).

Provenance & Evidence