2-(2-Furyl)-5,6-dihydro-1(3)H-acenaphtho[4,5-d]imidazole. Synthesis and electrophilic substitution reactions

2-(2-Furyl)-5,6-dihydro-1(3)H-acenaphtho4,5-d]imidazole was synthesized by the Weidenhagen reaction of acenaphthene-4,5-diamine with furfural. Alkylation of the title compound with methyl iodide in KOH-DMSO gave isomeric 1- and 3-methyl derivative, the latter being the major product. 2-(2-Furyl)-3-methyl-5,6-dihydro-3H-acenaphtho4,5-d]imidazole was subjected to electrophilic substitution reactions (bromination, nitration, formylation, acylation, and sulfonation. Depending on the conditions, electrophilic attack was directed at the furan ring or acenaphthene fragment or both these.