1-[2′-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]-2-phenylsulfonylimidazole: A new reagent for the preparation of C-4 substituted imidazoles

Abstract The title compound provides for the efficient C-4 metallation of the imidazole nucleus. Further reactions lead to trisubstituted imidazoles which can be selectively deprotected at the N 1 and C 2 positions under mild conditions to maximize the potential for further elaboration.