Silver‐Catalyzed [3+1+1] Annulation of Nitrones with Isocyanoacetates as an Approach to 1,4,5‐Trisubstituted Imidazoles.

A silver‐catalyzed protocol for [3+1+1] annulation of nitrones and isocyanoacetates is reported. The reaction is proposed to proceed through sequential [3+2] cycloaddition, ring‐opening, cyclization‐oxidation, and dealkylation, allowing access to a broad scope of valuable polysubstituted imidazoles in high yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]