Microwave-Mediated Synthesis of Lophine: Developing a Mechanism To Explain a Product

Abstract

The microwave-mediated preparation of lophine (2,4,5-triphenylimidazole) is described. This experiment allows for an introduction to the emerging technology of microwave-assisted organic synthesis while providing an opportunity for students to employ the principles of carbonyl chemistry in devising a mechanism to explain the formation of the product. When combined with previously published methods for heterocycle synthesis, this experiment offers an example of the advantages of microwave-assisted synthesis.