Zn(OTf)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Imidazole-Substituted Allenes.

A Zn(OTf)-catalyzed simple and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of imidazole-substituted allenes by the reaction of 1,1,3-triphenylprop-2-yn-1-ol and imidazoheterocycles. A library of tetrasubstituted allenes with broad functionalities have been prepared with excellent yields. The present methodology is also applicable to imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole.