Iron(III)-catalyzed three-component domino strategy for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Imidazopyridine Family: Versatile and Promising Heterocyclic Skeletons for Different Applications

In recent years, there has been increasing attention focused on various products belonging to the imidazopyridine family; this class of heterocyclic compounds shows unique chemical structure, versatile optical properties, and diverse biological attributes. The broad family of imidazopyridines encompasses different heterocycles, each with its own specific properties and distinct characteristics, making all of them promising for various application fields. In general, this useful category of aromatic heterocycles holds significant promise across various research domains, spanning from material science to pharmaceuticals. The various cores belonging to the imidazopyridine family exhibit unique properties, such as serving as emitters in imaging, ligands for transition metals, showing reversible electrochemical properties, and demonstrating biological activity. Recently, numerous noteworthy advancements have emerged in different technological fields, including optoelectronic devices, sensors, energy conversion, medical applications, and shining emitters for imaging and microscopy. This review intends to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this framework from 1955 to the present day, unveiling different aspects of various applications. This extensive literature survey may guide chemists and researchers in the quest for novel imidazopyridine compounds with enhanced properties and efficiency in different uses.

Visible-light-induced cascade reaction: a sustainable approach towards molecular complexity

Photoredox catalysis has demonstrated rapid evolution in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. On the other hand, the splendour of cascade reactions in providing complex molecular architectures renders them a cutting-edge research area. Therefore, the merging of photocatalysis with cascade synthesis brings out a synthetic paradigm with immense potential. The development of photocascade catalysis for a target molecule with a particular molecular skeleton and stereochemical framework presents certain challenges but provides a robust and environmentally benign synthetic alternative. This comprehensive review assembles all the accomplishments and highlights of visible-light-induced cascade reactions with literature coverage up to October 2022.

One-Pot Synthesis of 3-Methyl-2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines Using Calcium Carbide as an Alkyne Source

An efficient method for the construction of 3-methyl-2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from the reactions of calcium carbide, 2-aminopyridines, and aromatic aldehydes is described. The notable advantages for this strategy include the use of an inexpensive and concise solid alkyne source, cheap and readily available raw materials, wide-scope substrates, and a simple work-up procedure.

Methylene-Tethered Arylsulfonation and Benzotriazolation of Aryl/Heteroaryl C-H Bonds with DMSO as a One-Carbon Surrogate

The Selectfluor-mediated approach toward the synthesis of methylene-tethered arylsulfonation and benzotriazolation of imidazopyridines has been described. The reaction involves imidazopyridine, aryl sulfinate, or benzotriazole and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the presence of Selectfluor, where DMSO acts as a one-carbon synthon. The protocol has been extended to the methylene-tethered arylsulfonation and benzotriazolation of β-naphthols. The mechanistic insights show that the intermediate 3-((methylthio)methyl)-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine is generated from imidazopyridine, DMSO, and Selectfluor. The nucleophilic displacement by the aryl sulfinate salt or benzotriazole on the intermediate afforded the product.

Sulfonated β-cyclodextrins: efficient supramolecular organocatalysts for diverse organic transformations

The present review summarizes various organic transformations carried out by using sulfonated β-cyclodextrins such as β-cyclodextrin sulfonic acid, β-cyclodextrin propyl sulfonic acid, and β-cyclodextrin butyl sulfonic acid as an efficient, supramolecular reusable catalyst under diverse reaction conditions.

Facile synthesis of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines catalysed by DBU in aqueous ethanol

A facile protocol for the synthesis of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was developed using two-component cyclization of substituted 2-aminopyridines and substituted phenacyl bromides in 65–94% yield. The reaction was DBU catalysed using green solvent, aqueous ethanol (1 : 1 v/v) at room temperature. The atom economy of the products was calculated to be 66.25–73.41%. The developed protocol successfully exhibits a broad substrate scope, less reaction time, high to moderate yield and multigram scale synthesis.

Efficient and "Green" Synthetic Route to Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine by Cu(II)-Ascorbate-Catalyzed A3-Coupling in Aqueous Micellar Media

An efficient and environmentally sustainable method for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives by domino A³-coupling reaction catalyzed by Cu(II)-ascorbate was developed in aqueous micellar media in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The catalyst, a dynamic combination of Cu(II)/Cu(I), was generated in situ in the reaction mixture by mixing CuSO₄ with sodium ascorbate and aided a facile 5-exo-dig cycloisomerization of alkynes with the condensation products of 2-aminopyridines and aldehydes to afford a variety of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in good overall yields. A simple experimental setup, water as the "green" medium, and inexpensive catalyst and auxiliary are some of the merits of this protocol.

Highly Regioselective, Acid-Catalyzed, Three-Component Cascade Reaction for the Synthesis of 2-aminopyridine-Decorated Imidazo[1,2- a]pyridine

A highly regioselective acid-catalyzed three-component reaction of 2-aminopyridine and 3-phenylpropiolaldehyde for the construction of imidazo[1,2- a]pyridine has been developed. This strategy provides a broad range of substrates and represents an efficient approach to give various 2-aminopyridine-decorated imidazo[1,2- a]pyridine in good yields.

Facile synthesis of substituted quinolines by iron(iii)-catalyzed cascade reaction between anilines, aldehydes and nitroalkanes

A library of substituted quinolines has been synthesized by the reaction of aldehydes, anilines and nitroalkanes using a catalytic amount of Fe(iii) chloride.

Alumina-Supported Gold Nanoparticles as a Bifunctional Catalyst for the Synthesis of 2-Amino-3-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

The bifunctional catalytic efficacy of alumina-supported gold nanoparticles (Au/Al₂O₃) was investigated for the synthesis of a series of 2-amino-3-aryl-imidazopyridines through the chemoselective reduction of the corresponding 2-nitro-3-aryl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in high isolated yields. This highly efficient protocol was initially applied for the synthesis of 2-nitro-3-aryl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via the reaction between 2-aminopyridine and nitroalkenes catalyzed by the present catalytic system Au/Al₂O₃. Moreover, the heterogeneous surface γ-Al₂O₃ was also found to catalyze this pathway in a comparable manner. However, only Au/Al₂O₃ was further proved as the appropriate catalytic system for the selective transfer hydrogenation of the synthesized 2-nitro imidazopyridine derivatives into the corresponding 2-amino-3-aryl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using NaBH₄ as a hydrogen-donor molecule. In addition, the one-pot two-step reaction between nitroalkenes and aminopyridines in the presence of Au/Al₂O₃-NaBH₄ provided directly the fast and facile synthesis of 2-amino-3-aryl imidazopyridines, highlighting a useful synthetic application of the catalytic protocol.

Diversified Synthesis of Furans by Coupling between Enols/1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds and Nitroolefins: Direct Access to Dioxa[5]helicenes

A versatile method for the diversified synthesis of furans and arenofurans has been developed that proceeds through K2CO3-promoted cyclization between enols/1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and nitroolefins at reflux in EtOH. This facile method has been successfully employed in the synthesis of benzotrifuran derivatives, which are useful hole-transporting materials. This procedure also provides direct access to dioxa[5]helicenes. This reaction offers a broad substrate scope, uses an inexpensive base and environmentally benign solvent, and is operationally simple.

Regioselective oxidative trifluoromethylation of imidazoheterocycles via C(sp2)-H bond functionalization

Catalytic oxidative trifluoromethylation of imidazopyridines has been carried out at room temperature through the functionalization of the sp(2) C-H bond employing Langlois reagent under ambient air. A library of 3-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with broad functionalities have been synthesized regioselectively. This methodology is also applicable to imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole.

Polycyclic imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine analogs – synthesis via oxidative intramolecular C–H amination and optical properties

Oxidative C–H amination has proved to be an efficient strategy to construct pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-b]indoles and their π-expanded analogs.

Microwave assisted novel and regioselective functionalization of imidazopyridines with chromene acetals and β-nitrostyrenes

A facile synthesis of novel functionalized imidazopyridines has been accomplished through the condensation of imidazopyridines with chromene hemiacetals or β-nitro styrenes with high regioselectivity and excellent yields in the presence of a catalytic amount of PTSA or InCl₃.

A copper-catalyzed multi-component reaction accessing fused imidazo-heterocycles via C–H functionalization

An efficient synthesis of fused imidazo-heterocycles is described using Cu(OTf)₂ in [bmim]BF₄ by the multi-component reaction of pyridin-2(1H)-one or thiazol/benzo[d]thiazol-2(3H)-ones with O-tosylhydroxyl amine and acetophenones under microwave irradiation.

Synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines: a decade update

Here we describe the various strategies for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.

I2-Catalyzed diamination of acetyl-compounds for the synthesis of multi-substituted imidazoles

We have successfully developed the I₂-catalysed synthesis of substituted imidazole derivatives from amidines and ketones in good to excellent yields and 100% regioselectivity.

Combination of NH2OH·HCl and NaIO4: an effective reagent for molecular iodine-free regioselective 1,2-difunctionalization of olefins and easy access of terminal acetals

We have demonstrated a new application of our oxidizing reagent, a combination of NH₂OH·HCl and NaIO₄, in the first generalized regioselective 1,2-difunctionalization of olefins.

Iodine-catalyzed regioselective thiolation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using sulfonyl hydrazides as a thiol surrogate

Iodine-catalyzed regioselective sulfenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via C(sp²)–H bond functionalization has been achieved using sulfonyl hydrazides as a thiol surrogate.

FeCl3/ZnI2-catalyzed synthesis of benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole through aerobic oxidative cyclization between 2-aminobenzothiazole and ketone

The FeCl3/ZnI2-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization between 2-aminobenzothiazole and ketone/chalcone for the synthesis of benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole is described. A variety of fused benzoimidazothiazole derivatives are obtained by this protocol.