Efficient one-pot synthesis of 1-alkoxy-2-arylaminoimidazolines from N-alkoxy-N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides and arylisothiocyanates

A new synthetic approach towards 1-alkoxy-2-aminoimidazolines that uses N-alkoxy-N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides as nucleophile reagents for the reaction with isothiocyanates is reported. Hence, the synthesis of 1-alkoxy-2-aminoimidazolines was performed in high yield with a one-pot procedure involving thiourea formation, nosyl group removal and spontaneous cyclization (42–77% overall yield).