Copper carbenoid mediated N-alkylation of imidazoles and its use in a novel synthesis of bifonazole

1H-Imidazoles are readily N-alkylated by a Cu(acac)2 mediated reaction with α-diazocarbonyl compounds or with diazoalkanes generated in situ from the corresponding p-toluensulfonyl hydrazones. The antifungal agent bifonazole was prepared by the latter method.