Two syntheses of l-[(dimethylamino) sulfonyl]-2, 4-bis [(2-hydroxyethoxy) methyl] imidazole, 3, a precursor to imidazole-containing crown ethers, are described. The first involved hydroxymethylation of 1-benzylimidazole with formaldehyde to afford l-benzyl-2, 5-bis (hydroxymethyl) imidazole(5)(20% yield), which was elaborated into 3 in four steps. An alternative and more efficient route involved coupling of diamine 17b with the imino ether ...
