A convenient approach for synthesis of the imidazole derivatives of helicid 4a～4h is presented via condensation of helicid，2-hydroxy-1,2-diarylethanone (2a～2d)，ammonium acetate and alkyl amine，using iodine as efficient catalyst。The structures of the target compounds 4a～4h were characterized by 1H NMR，13C NMR，IR and HRMS techniques。Their calm activities were investigated in healthy mice，and compound 4e showed favorable calm activity compared with helicid.

Key words: helicid, imidazole derivative, 2-hydroxy-1,2-diarylethanone, iodine, calm activity, synthesis