Alkyl- and 2-Aryl-4,5-dicyanoimidazoles

Condensation of DAMN with aldehydes is not always straightforward. At pH 6.8, 3 mol acetaldehyde condense with 1 mol DAMN to give the tricyclic heterocycle 15 (75JOC2678). 

Aldehydes condense with DISN to give 2-alkylimidazoles, but in low yield (73USP37099(X)). A related reaction with ketones produces 2,2-dialkyl-4,5-dicyano-2//-imidazoles. When one alkyl group is methyl and the other is a 

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