The Synthesis of Carboxy- and Cyano-substituted 4H-Imidazoles: Redoxactive Ligands as Starting Materials for Metal-Metal Multiply Bonded Compounds and Heterobimetallic Complexes

Abstract

Cyanobenzoic acids proved to be suitable starting materials for the transformation into multifunctional products of the 4H-imidazole type. Employing two different pathways, the new derivatives 1b-d which possess carboxy/cyano groups were synthesized. In addition, derivative 1d formed the basis for the construction of novel bis-4H-imidazoles with two different complexation spheres. The structures of all new derivatives were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, UV/Vis-/fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements.