An efficient and novel one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles catalyzed by UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O under heterogeneous conditions

An efficient, convenient, and novel one-pot method of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles synthesis using benzil, arene carbaldehydes, and ammonium acetate, catalyzed by uranyl nitrate hexahydrate [UO2(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O] supported on acidic alumina and resulting in good to excellent yields under heterogeneous conditions, is reported. Formation of a reactants-catalyst complex was confirmed by UV-VIS spectral data. Antibacterial (MIC) and antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was also studied. (C) 2011 Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences