ZrOCl_2·8H_2O catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles and substituted 1,4-di(4,5-diphenylimidazolyl)benzene

A simple one-pot synthetic method for the preparation of 2,4,5-triaryl-lH-imidazoles from benzoin or benzil, ammonium acetate, aromatic aldehydes, and ZrOCl2-8H2O catalyst is described. The ZrOCl2-8H2O catalyst was found to be equally effective for aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes and also for the preparation of substituted 1,4-di（4,5-diphenylimidazol-yl） benzene.