Abstract
A new method for the preparation of 1,4,5-trisubstituted (imidazol-2-yl)acetates, based on the reaction of the corresponding imidazole 3-oxides with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) is described. Formation of the products is rationalized by a formal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and subsequent oxaloyl cleavage.