Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of 1,5-Diarylimidazoles

A number of 1,5-diarylimidazoles has been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activities of COX-2 catalyzed PGE₂ production. 1,5-Diarylimidazoles were obtained from imimes andp-toluenesulfonylmethyl cyanide (TosMIC). Imines were prepared from commercially available amines and aldehydes. Among the compounds tested, 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl) imidazole (2r) showed strong inhibitory activity, however, most diarylimidazoles exhibited little to low inhibitory activities against COX-2 catalyzed PGE₂ production.