Simple practical method for synthesis of trisubstituted imidazoles: an efficient copper catalyzed multicomponent reaction.

A rapid practical process has been developed for synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted-imidazoles in excellent yields up to 95% from readily available starting materials. In this CuI catalyzed synthesis, trisubstituted imidazoles were afforded in short reaction times, wherein the substrate scope is well explored with benzoin as well as benzil reacting with different aldehydes in the presence of ammonium acetate as the nitrogen source.