A new synthetic approach for novel 4-substituted-5-nitroimidazoles

Abstract A new synthetic approach, involving an S RN 1 reaction of the anion of 1-methyl-4-phenylsulfonyl-methyl-5-nitro-1 H -imidazole with 2,2-dinitropropane and a radical anion or a concerted radical reductive elimination of sulfonyl and nitro groups affords an original 5-nitroimidazole bearing a trisubstituted ethylenic double bond at 4-position.