Nano copper and cobalt ferrites as heterogeneous catalysts for the one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-tri substituted imidazoles

A simple one-pot synthesis has been developed for the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles using magnetic recyclable spinel nano copper and cobalt ferrites by the condensation of benzil, aromatic aldehyde and ammonium acetate in ethanol as solvent. The reaction, with these catalysts was carried out under mild reaction conditions with very good yields of substituted imidazoles. These catalysts can be recycled very easily and reused, which makes this methodology environmentally benign.