A high-yielding synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles is described, involving the reaction of 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds, aryl aldehydes, amines and ammonium acetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of glutamic acid under thermal, solvent-free conditions. The salient features of this protocol are aerobic conditions, a non-hazardous green catalyst, short reaction times and mild reaction conditions.