Hi,, there are many reports about yield enhancement by ultrasonic irradations. You may also try that. As an example; please check the article attached herewith. You, may also try microwave assisted organic synthetic methods.

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I will try that.

% of yield?

Egad - avoid metallic sodium.

Try this prep instead:

Crystal Growth & Design, 9(10), 4429-4437; 2009

Or this one:

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2012, 51 (19), pp 6641–6647

Use an excess (~1.2 eq) of the alkyl bromide since it can easily be removed from the reaction mixture. You want to make sure you convert all of the imidizole.

Also, use very dry starting materials and solvent to avoid making the alcohol from the bromide.

Email me if you want to discuss further:

[email protected]

Good luck,

Chris