Abstract
A simple, and environmentally benign synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted and 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles has been successfully accomplished via multi-component cyclo-condensation of 1,2-dicarbonyl, aldehyde, and ammonium acetate and aniline respectively, using dihydroquinoline based novel organocatalysts at refluxed temperature in ethanol. High yields (94%), easy work-up and purification of products without column chromatography are the key advantages of the method.