A Domino Azidation/C–H Amination Approach toward Trifluoromethyl Substituted Imidazoles

N-Alkyl enamines can be transformed into 2,4,5-trisubsituted imidazoles by reacting with (diacetoxy­iodo)­benzene and TMSN3 under the catalysis of a copper salt such as Cu­(OAc)2. Tetrabutyl ammonium iodide was also capable of promoting the reaction. The transformation from N-alkyl enamines into 2,4,5-trisubsituted imidazoles took place in a domino azidation/intramolecular C­(sp3)–H amination pattern. The present reaction provides a new efficient method for the preparation of 4-(trifluoromethyl) imidazoles.