Can N-Alkyl- and N-Arylimidazoles be Prepared Directly from Alcohols and Phenols with N,N’-Carbonyldiimidazole?

Abstract

The report that N-alkyl- and N-arylimidazoles can be prepared directly by reactions of N,N’-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) with alcohols or phenols was shown to be erroneous. Under the described conditions only (N-alkoxy-carbonyl)- and (N-aryloxy-carbonyl)-imidazoles (carbamates) were obtained.

alcohols - phenols - imidazoles - carbonyl diazole reagents - heterocycles

References

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