Synthesis of 1,2,4-Trisubstituted-(1H)‑imidazoles through Cu(OTf)2‑/I2‑Catalyzed C–C Bond Cleavage of Chalcones and Benzylamines

1,2,4-Trisubstituted-(1H)-imidazoles have been synthesized by the Cu­(OTf)2- and I2-catalyzed unusual C–C bond cleavage of chalcones and benzylamines. After the α,β-unsaturated C–C bond cleavage, the β-portion is eliminated from the reaction. Various aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted chalcones and benzylamines were well tolerated in this unusual transformation to yield the trisubstituted-(1H)-imidazoles.