Copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with amidines: synthesis of 1,2,4-trisubstituted-1H-imidazole-5-carbaldehydes

A convenient synthesis of 1,2,4-trisubstituted-1H-imidazole-5-carbaldehydes was developed, which features high atom economy, cheap catalysts and mild conditions.