The synthesis of 2-substituted azoles through a one-pot three-component reaction

We have discovered a new reaction whereby 2-substituted azoles are formed in the reaction of an azolium ylide with reactive carbonyl compounds. These products contain a leaving group in the α-position, which on solvolysis in the presence of nucleophiles yield azoles with a variety of α-substituents. We have developed new aspects of this chemistry and expanded the scope to include imidazoles, thiazoles, benzimidazoles and triazoles, such that in two reaction steps a wide diversity of substitution patterns are obtained.