Ketosulfonylmethylenation and sulfonylethyleneation of imidazoheterocycles with dimethylformamide as a methylene source.

A hitherto unreported ketosulfonylmethylenation occurring at the C-3 position of imidazoheterocycles, with dimethylformamide as the methylene source was described. Using CoCl 2 ·6H 2 O or Fe(acac) 3 as efficient and inexpensive catalysts, some important biologically active methylenated compounds were prepared, with high efficacy, favorable functional group compatibilities, and a broad substrate scope.