An efficient microwave-assisted one-pot two-step protocol was developed for the construction of disubstituted 2-amino-1H-imidazoles. This process involves the sequential formation of 2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxyimidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidinium salts from readily available 2-aminopyrimidines and α-bromoketones, followed by cleavage of the pyrimidine ring with hydrazine.