New protocols to access imidazoles and their ring fused analogues: synthesis from N-propargylamines

Imidazole and its derivatives are privileged N-heterocyclic structures present in various natural products and synthetic pharmaceuticals. Despite the numerous methods that have been developed for the synthesis of imidazole cores, it is still challenging to readily achieve high efficiency and regioselectivity in imidazole synthesis. Therefore, synthesis of these compounds using new protocols is always interesting. In this study we discuss the most representative and interesting reports on the synthesis of imidazoles and their fused analogues from N-propargylamines. Mechanistic aspects of the reactions are considered and discussed in detail.