Synthesis and properties of 2,5-bis(furan-2-yl)-1H-imidazole

2,5-Bis(furan-2-yl)-1 H -imidazole was synthesized by the Weidenhagen reaction of [2-(furan-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]acetate with furfural. Alkylation of the title compound with methyl iodide in acetone in the presence of potassium hydroxide gave a mixture of isomeric N -methyl derivatives, 2,5-bis(furan-2-yl)-1-methyl-1 H -imidazole being the major one. Electrophilic substitution reactions of the latter (nitration, bromination, sulfonation, hydroxymethylation, and acylation) were studied.