One-pot, multicomponent synthesis under microwave conditions of new imidazole and acridine benzamido acetic acid derivatives

Starting from 4-aminohippuric acid (AHA), two novel series of heterocyclic compounds of pharmaceutical interest have been synthesised by one-pot, multicomponent reactions under microwave conditions. Reaction of AHA with various aldehydes and benzil in (1:1) EtOH/acetic acid in the presence of ammonium acetate yielded 1,2,3,5-tetra-arylated imidazole derivatives, whereas a solvent-free reaction of AHA with various aldehydes and dimedone (2 equiv.) in the presence of p-TSA yielded 4,9-diarylated 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridine derivatives. These reactions produced good yields in short reaction times with an easy work-up, and purification of products was achieved by simple recrystallisation.