The first 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 2H-azirines with nitrones, a straightforward
approach toward the regioselective synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles,
is reported. This trifluoroacetic acid-catalyzed protocol tolerates a broad range
of aliphatic and aromatic substrates, offering an efficient access to highly diverse,
multisubstituted imidazoles in isolated yields up to 83% under mild conditions.
