Microwave-assisted multi-component synthesis of fused 3-aminoimidazoles

A variety of fused 3-aminoimidazoles have been synthesised by a microwave assisted Ugi three-component coupling (3cc) reaction catalysed by scandium triflate in methanol as solvent. Yields of 33–93% have been achieved after just 10 min of microwave irradiation using a simple one-stage procedure. The methodology described is suitable for the rapid and efficient synthesis of a range of fused heterocycles of pharmacological interest.