N-(Chlorosulfinyl)-Imidazole as a New Imidazole Transfer Reagent¹

Abstract

The usefulness of diimidazoles² such as N, N′-carbonyldi-imidazole (1), and N, N′-thionyldiimidazole (2) in organic synthesis has been accumulated recently. In connection with the continuing our studies on the reaction using 1 or 2 ³ (carbonyl, thionyl, and imidazole transfer reactions), our particular interest was focused on the synthesis of N-(chlorosulfinyl)-imidazole (3) in which one imidazole group in 2 was replaced by the other leaving group (Cl). Also, 3 was interesting for preparative purposes as a chlorine atom could be introduced via the addition reaction of 3 to carbonyl compounds as known in the reaction of 1 or 2 with ketones.