A convenient synthesis of 4(5)-(hetero)aryl-1H-imidazoles via microwave-assisted Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction

A simple and rapid access to a variety of 4(5)-arylated imidazoles via palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction is described. Coupling parameters were screened for efficient C-4 arylation of N-unprotected 4-iodoimidazole with a broad range of boronic acids under microwave irradiation. Twenty-one imidazole derivatives were synthesized in modest to excellent yields in short reaction times.