合成路线1

Reaction of benzaldehyde (I) with trimethylsilyl cyanide and ZnI2 gave O-trimethylsilyl cyanohydrin (II). Subsequent condensation of (II) with 4-(methylthio)benzaldehyde (III) in the presence of lithium hexamethyldisilazide, followed by quenching of the intermediate (IV) with KHF2 and HCl, provided benzoin (V). This was oxidized either under Swern conditions, or with Bi2O3 in acetic to afford the corresponding benzil (VI). Condensation of (VI) with trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal (VII) produced imidazole (VIII). Finally, oxidation of the sulfide group of (VIII) with hydrogen peroxide in AcOH provided the target sulfone.