A facile multicomponent synthesis of tetrasubstituted imidazoles using Fe³⁺-K10 catalyst under solvent-free microwave conditions

1394-1397An efficient, microwave assisted, multi-component synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles has been achieved by the one-pot condensation of benzil, aromatic aldehyde, aliphatic/aromatic amine and ammonium acetate using Fe3+-K10 heterogeneous catalyst under solvent-free conditions. This approach offers a number of advantages such as excellent yield, solvent-free conditions, short reaction time, an eco-friendly and low loading catalyst, mild reaction temperature, and an easy work-up