Synthesis of Fused Imidazoles from Fischer Carbenes and 1,4-Diazafulvenes

Significance

A new strategy for the synthesis of imidazopyridines and pyrroloimidazoles as well as polycyclic imidazoles of potential pharmacological and biological interest is reported. These annulation reactions proceed from the common 1,4-diazafulvene in combination with acyclic and cyclic Fischer carbene complexes under mild conditions to give diverse imidazole derivatives in good yields.