The aryl-(Z)-N-[2-amino-1,2-dicyanovinyl]formamidine 2 cyclize in solvent-free conditions and in the presence of a base to give a 5-amino-1-aryl-4-cyanoimidazoles 3. Silica sulfuric acid as an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst has been used for the preparation of amidines 2 from formimidate 1 through reaction with aromatic amines at room temperature and in good to excellent yields. […]
