1-(Diethoxymethyl)imidazole is an orthoamide protected imidazole. The dianion reacts selectively at the 2 position 1-(Diethoxymethyl)imidazole is a 1-substituted imidazoles. Isoprene-mediated lithiation of 1-(diethoxymethyl)imidazole, leads to the preparation of the corresponding 2-lithio intermediate, which reacts with different electrophiles to afford 2-functionalised imidazoles.