Scheme 4. Synthesis of 4(5)-Methyl-2-methylsulfanyl-5-(4)pyridin-4-ylimidazoles 48a–q.
Reagents and conditions: (a) cycloalkylamine (NEAT or n-BuOH), 180 °C, 24–72 h; (b) p-phenylendiamine, 1.25 M HCl in EtOH, n-BuOH, 180 °C, 16 h; (c) trans-diaminocyclohexane, n-BuOH, 180 °C, 72 h; and (d) acyl chloride or anhydride, dry pyridine, rt, 16 h; (R1, R2 = see Table 6).