Synthesis of 2-unsubstituted imidazolones from bisamides via a one-pot, domino dehydration/base promoted cyclisation process

A one-pot, domino process was developed as an alternative approach for the preparation of 2-unsubstituted imidazolones. The methodology utilizes readily accessible bisamides, which upon a dehydration/cyclisation sequence produced imidazolones in good yields. The transformation relies on the compatibility of the dehydrating agent and base, and the reaction conditions tolerate various functional groups.