Divergent Reactivity of Amino Acid Alkyl Ester Hydrochlorides with 2‑Oxoaldehydes: Role of Selenium Dioxide To Promote Regioselective Synthesis of Imidazoles

Novel amino acid substituted imidazoles engendered from amino acid alkyl ester hydrochlorides and 2-oxoaldehydes as a result of selenium dioxide promoted unconventional reaction in a basic environment is presented for the first time. Despite the nature of the 2-oxoaldehydes/amino acids used, the imidazoles generated had a functional core structure, and all of the reactions meticulously retained regioselectivity. The imperative feature of these reactions was the uniqueness of selenium dioxide in fixing two nitrogen atoms from amino acids through an in situ generated ArCOCHN1N2 system.