The effect of ultrasound on the catalytic activity of alkaline carbons: preparation of N-alkyl imidazoles

N-Alkyl imidazoles have been prepared by sonochemical irradiation of imidazole and 1-bromobutane using alkaline promoted carbons. Under the experimental conditions, N-alkyl imidazoles can be prepared with a high activity and selectivity. It is observed that imidazole conversion increases in parallel with increasing basicity of the catalyst. For comparison, the alkylation of imidazole has also been performed in a batch reactor system under thermal activation.