Double nucleophilic reaction of amines to the imidazole nucleus and selective synthesis of 5-aminoimidazoles

Reaction of 2-(1-chloro-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazole with an excess of N,N-dimethylamine at room temperature gave an abnormal adduct, trans-4,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-2,2-dimethylpropyl-2-imidazoline, which was derived from a serial, double nucleophilic addition into the imidazole nucleus in 74% yield together with a normal SN product, 1-methyl-2-(1-dimethylamino-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-1H-imidazole in 15% yield. The former was easily converted to 1-methyl-5-(dimethylamino)-2-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-1H-imidazole by only reflux in toluene in 90% yield. The scope, mechanism and limitation of these reactions are discussed.