Formation of the imidazolinone ring under mild conditions in the presence of sodium hydride.

Substituted imidazolinones containing heterocyclic carboxylic acids as substituents and possessing herbicidal properties were synthesized by cyclization of 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide with heterocyclic ethyl dicarboxylates under mild conditions. The use of NaH as base leads to a significant increase in the reaction rate and allows the preparation of the target compounds in high yields.