Polysubstituted imidazoles represent a common structural motif in bioactive molecules.
A modular and flexible strategy towards 2,4,5-triarylated imidazoles is reported applying
a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling protocol. Employing 1-protected 2,4,5-tribromoimidazole
as starting material, both stepwise and one-pot protocols towards the title compounds
are disclosed. The utility of the approach was demonstrated by synthesizing neurodazine,
a biologically active molecule affecting neuronal cell differentiation.
Key words
heterocycles - cross-coupling - palladium - regioselectivity - homogeneous catalysis