Aryl Azides as Forgotten Electrophiles in the Van Leusen Reaction: A Multicomponent Transformation Affording 4-Tosyl-1-arylimidazoles.

Considering aryl azides as electrophilic partners for the TosMIC mediated Van Leusen reaction, a novel multicomponent synthesis of 4-tosyl-1-arylimidazoles is reported. In this transformation, two molecules of TosMIC participate in the reaction mechanism in two different ways, with the second molecule undergoing a novel type of fragmentation resulting in the incorporation of a C-H into the final product.