Rh(II)-Catalyzed Transannulation of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives with 1-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles: Regioselective Synthesis of 5-Sulfonamidoimidazoles.

An effective method for the synthesis of fully substituted 5-sulfonamidoimidazoles by Rh(II)-catalyzed transannulation of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles is reported. The reaction works well with both aromatic 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-ones providing a flexible approach to N-(alkoxy/amino)carbonyl- and N-alkyl-substituted imidazoles. Both the disclosed reactions are completely regioselective and provide the first examples of a carbenoid-mediated transformation of N,N,O-heterocycles.