A Domino Azidation/C–H Amination Approach toward Trifluoromethyl Substituted Imidazoles

<i>N</i>-Alkyl enamines can be transformed into 2,4,5-trisubsituted imidazoles by reacting with (diacetoxy­iodo)­benzene and TMSN₃ under the catalysis of a copper salt such as Cu­(OAc)₂. Tetrabutyl ammonium iodide was also capable of promoting the reaction. The transformation from <i>N</i>-alkyl enamines into 2,4,5-trisubsituted imidazoles took place in a domino azidation/intramolecular C­(sp³)–H amination pattern. The present reaction provides a new efficient method for the preparation of 4-(trifluoromethyl) imidazoles