Syntheses of 2-arylimidazole derivatives through annelations employing benzylamines

Annelations of benzylamines with hydroximino derivatives of pentane-2,4-dione or of alkyl acetoacetates, acetoacetamides, and acetoacetanilides, afford imidazole derivatives and provide easy incorporation of the benzylic carbon and nitrogen in the heterocycle. The limits of the reaction have been explored.