Catalyst-free one-pot four component synthesis of polysubstituted imidazoles in neutral ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide.

A catalyst-free one-pot four component methodology for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5-substituted imidazoles under conventional heating and microwave irradiation using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [Bmim]Br, as a neutral reaction media is described. A broad range of structurally diverse aldehydes (aromatic aldehydes bearing electron withdrawing and/or electron releasing groups as well as heteroaromatic aldehydes) and primary amines (aromatic and aliphatic) were applied successfully, and corresponding products were obtained in good to excellent yields without any byproduct.