The effect of ultrasound on the N-alkylation of imidazole over alkaline carbons: Kinetic aspects

N-Alkylimidazoles have been synthesized by sonochemical irradiation of imidazole and 1-bromobutane using alkaline-promoted carbons. Under the experimental conditions, N-alkylimidazoles can be prepared with a high activity and selectivity. It is observed that imidazole conversion increases in parallel with increasing the basicity of the catalyst. N-Alkylimidazoles have been synthesized by sonochemical irradiation of imidazole and 1-bromobutane using alkaline-promoted carbons. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal analysis and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Under the experimental conditions, N-alkylimidazoles can be prepared with a high activity and selectivity. It is observed that imidazole conversion increases in parallel with increasing the basicity of the catalyst. For comparison, the alkylation of imidazole has also been performed in a batch reactor system under thermal activation.