Diversely functionalized imidazole-4-carboxylates were synthesizedby microwave-assisted 1,5-eletrocyclization of 1,2-diaza-1,3-diene-derived azavinyl azomethine ylides. 1,2-Diaza-1,3-dienes were treated with primary aliphatic or aromaticamines and subjected to microwave irradiation in thepresence of aldehydes. 3-Alkyl- and 3-arylimidazole-4-carboxylateswere prepared in good yields through a one-potmulticomponent procedure. Modulation of the substituentsat C-2, N-3, and C-5 was possible, and 2-unsubstituted imidazoleswere obtained when paraformaldehyde was used
