Synthesis of 1,2 diamines under environmentally benign conditions: application for the preparation of imidazolidiniums

An environmentally friendly and economically attractive access to unsymmetrical and symmetrical 1,2-diamines has been developed. Chemoselective N-monoalkylation in water and alcoholic solvents was demonstrated. This method represents a simple and scalable preparation (2–3 steps) of symmetrical and unsymmetrical imidazolidinium salts, precursors of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes.