Reaction of 5-(2-furyl)-1-methyl-1H- and 1-methyl-5-(2-thienyl)-1H-imidazoles with electrophilic reagents

Abstract

5-(2-Furyl)-1-methyl-1H- and 1-methyl-5-(2-thienyl)-1H-imidazoles were synthesized. The electronwithdrawing effect of the 5- and 2-imidazole substituents on the furan ring was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations. Some electrophilic substitution reactions were investigated (nitration, bromination, sulfonation, hydroxymethylation, formylation, and acylation). In some cases, depending on the reaction conditions, both the furan and thiophene ring and the imidazole fragment undergo electrophilic attack.