A simple and convenient one-pot method for the preparation of heteroaryl-2-imidazoles from nitriles

A simple, convenient and high-yielding one-pot method for the synthesis of 2-heterocycle-substituted imidazoles from the corresponding nitriles has been developed. The procedure is easily scaleable and the workup does not involve chromatography. This synthesis is also applicable to the preparation of imidazoles with electron-poor aryl substituents.