Synthesis of bis-imidazole derivatives from 2,6-bis(4-formylbenzylidiene)-cycloalkanones

2,5-Bis(4-(4,5-bis(4-aryl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl) benzylidene)-cycloalkanones were synthesised by reacting 4,4'-(2-oxocycloalkane-1,3-diylidene) bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene) dibenzaldehydes, resulting from aldol condensation of terephthalaldehyde and cycloalkanones, with benzil and ammonium acetate. The structures of the products were then identified by FTIR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and elemental analysis. The reaction conditions were optimised by varying the type and amount of catalyst, and temperature. The key advantages of this process are simple procedure, environmentally friendly conditions and good yield of products.