Signs of formation and chemical evolution of zwitterions in the reaction of 1-methylimidazole with cyanophenylacetylene and benzaldehyde

Primary monitoring of the three-component reaction of 1-methylimidazole with cyanophenylacetylene and benzaldehyde by EPR, UV, NMR, and IR spectroscopy has been carried out. Experimental evidence has been obtained for the formation of zwitterions and carbenes of the imidazole series as intermediates of a new functionalization reaction of the imidazole ring leading to 2-benzoyl-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-3-phenylpropanenitrile.