An Efficient and One Pot Synthesis of 2,4,5-Trisubstituted Imidazole Derivatives Catalyzed by Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used as an excellent and highly efficient catalyst for one pot synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazole derivatives in presence of ethanol as a solvent. This synthetic route involves multicomponent reaction of benzil, substituted aromatic aldehydes and ammonium acetate under reflux. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-visible), X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, scanning electronic microscope (SEM) analysis. The process was simple and environmentally benign with high to excellent yield. The methods provides several advantages such as simple operation, clean reaction profile, short reaction time and high yield of product. The synthesized silver nanoparticles as catalyst was non-toxic, eco-friendly, low cost and green synthetic method.