Three-component cascade reaction of 3-ketonitriles, 2-unsubstituted imidazole N-oxides, and aldehydes.

A three-component condensation of 2-unsubstituted imidazole N-oxides, 3-ketonitriles, and aldehydes is described. The reaction proceeds via sequential Knoevenagel condensation/Michael addition under mild, catalyst-free conditions with various substrates. Furthermore, the corresponding 2-functionalized imidazole N-oxides can be further dehydrated to (Z)-2-aroyl-3-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-acrylonitriles, which may also be directly prepared by changing the reaction conditions as a cascade of Knoevenagel condensation/Michael addition/dehydration.

Assembly of isoxazol-5-one with 2-unsubstituted imidazole N-oxides and aldehydes.

A new synthetic protocol has been developed to construct polyfunctional isoxazol-5-one derivatives with imidazole moiety. It is based on the Knoevenagel condensation of isoxazol-5-one with aldehydes and subsequent Michael addition of imidazole N-oxides as part of a tandem three-component process. This reaction proceeds smoothly in moderate-to-good yield under catalyst-free conditions.