Cu(I)-Catalyzed Transannulation of N-Heteroaryl Aldehydes or Ketones with Alkylamines via C(sp3)–H Amination

Electrochemically Mediated Synthesis of Cyanated Heterocycles from α-amino Esters, Pyridine-2-carbaldehydes and NH4SCN as Cyano Group Source

The electrochemically mediated cyanation/annulation process with in situ cyanide ion generation from NH4SCN and multi-step oxidative construction of CN-functionalized heterocycles from easily available α-amino esters and pyridine-2-carbaldehydes has been discovered. Depending on the nature of the α-amino ester, 1-cyano-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-3-carboxylates, 3-alkyl- and 3-aryl-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines-1-carbonitriles, and the first reported 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazine-1-carbonitriles were obtained. The electrosynthesis is carried out in an undivided electrochemical cell under constant current conditions. The success of the discovered electrochemical synthesis is based on the combination of two anodic processes: oxidation of SCN anion to CN anion and oxidation of C-N bonds to C=N bonds during heterocycle construction. Mechanistic studies based on CV measurements, and control experiments confirm the generation of [CN] species from NH4SCN with subsequent addition to an imine formed from α-amino esters and pyridine-2-carbaldehyde. Computational analysis suggests that for reactive intermediates from glycine esters, the subsequent 5-endo-trig cyclization leading to 1-cyano-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-3-carboxylates is more favourable and the 6-exo-trig cyclization leading to 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazine-1-carbonitriles is less favourable. For α-amino esters with alkyl or aryl substituents, both cyclization pathways are relatively thermodynamically possible. The leading 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazine-1-carbonitrile showed high fungicidal activity against phytopathogenic fungi.

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.

Construction of Imidazole-Fused-Ring Systems by Iron-Catalyzed C(sp3)-H Amination-Cyclization under Aerobic Conditions

An iron-catalyzed efficient C-H amination for the construction of imidazole-fused-ring systems was developed under aerobic conditions. Compared to previous studies, this work exhibited green features. The reaction was conducted in the green solvent anisole, with water as the only byproduct. Four C(sp3)-H bonds were cleaved and three C-N bonds were formed in this transformation. Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-, imidazo[5,1-b]oxazole-, imidazo[5,1-b]thiazole-, imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazine-, and imidazo[1,5-a]imidazole-related N-heterocycles were obtained in acceptable-to-excellent yield.

Visible light mediated synthesis of 1,3-diarylated imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via oxidative amination of C-H catalyzed by graphitic carbon nitride

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a novel heterogeneous catalyst is employed for the visible light-mediated synthesis of the imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via the oxidative amination of C-H bond at room temperature without the need for any additional solvent. Extensive characterization of the catalyst was performed using techniques such as FT-IR, PXRD, TGA, SEM and EDX analysis. The optimized conditions enabled the successful and expeditious conversion of a wide range of substrates to imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines in good yields; a notable advantage of this catalyst being recyclability, as it can be reused for up to five cycles without significant loss of activity. This feature makes it suitable for gram-scale synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines. Additionally, this approach offers several benefits from a green chemistry perspective as affirmed by its favorable green chemistry metrics (GCM), including low process mass intensity (PMI), low E-factor, high atom economy (AE), and good reaction mass efficiency (RME) relative to existing protocols. In addition, chemical yield (CY), mass intensity (MI), mass productivity (MP) and optimum efficiency were also calculated. This environmentally friendly method offers multiple advantages and represents a significant advancement in the synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines.

Cobalt-catalyzed tandem one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines and imidazo[1,5-a]isoquinolines

An efficient cobalt-catalyzed tandem one-pot method has been developed for the synthesis of polysubstituted imidazo[1,5-a]-N-heteroaromatics. The method involves Knoevenagel condensation followed by cobalt-catalyzed direct alkenylation to give the desired polysubstituted imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines and imidazo[1,5-a]isoquinolines in a one-pot manner. This method exhibits a broad substrate scope, provides moderate to good (39-74%) yields and is amenable to scale-up to the gram scale.

Anomeric Stereoauxiliary Cleavage of the C-N Bond of d-Glucosamine for the Preparation of Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines

The targeted cleavage of the C-N bonds of alkyl primary amines in sustainable compounds of biomass according to a metal-free pathway and the conjunction of nitrogen in the synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines are still highly challenging. Despite tremendous progress in the synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines over the past decade, many of them can still not be efficiently prepared. Herein, we report an anomeric stereoauxiliary approach for the synthesis of a wide range of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines after cleaving the C-N bond of d-glucosamine (α-2° amine) from biobased resources. This new approach expands the scope of readily accessible imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines relative to existing state-of-the-art methods. A key strategic advantage of this approach is that the α-anomer of d-glucosamine enables C-N bond cleavage via a seven-membered ring transition state. By using this novel method, a series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives (>80 examples) was synthesized from pyridine ketones (including para-dipyridine ketone) and aldehydes (including para-dialdehyde). Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives containing diverse important deuterated C(sp2 )-H and C(sp3 )-H bonds were also efficiently achieved.

Recent synthetic methodologies for imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines and related heterocycles

Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine is a significant structural component of a large number of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine has been a subject of intense research for numerous decades. A large number of transformations are now available to conveniently access imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine from readily available starting materials. This review details the recent development in imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine construction involving cyclocondensation, cycloaddition, oxidative cyclization, and transannulation reactions.

Electrochemical [4 + 1] Tandem sp3(C-H) Double Amination for the Direct Synthesis of 3-Acyl-Functionalized Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines

3-Acyl imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines, featured pharmaceutical moieties that were prepared by a three-step reaction conventionally, could be obtained in one step by an electrochemical tandem sp³ (C-H) double amination of acetophenones with pyridine ethylamines using ammonium iodide as a redox mediator.

Understanding Cu(II)-based systems for C(sp3)-H bond functionalization: insights into the synthesis of aza-heterocycles

Herein we report the synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine heterocycles via a Cu(II)-mediated functionalization of α'-C(sp³)-H bonds of pyridinylaldimines and subsequent cyclization. This strategy exploits the inherent directing ability of heteroleptic aldimine and pyridine groups in the substrate yielding the C-H functionalization of α'-methylene groups in a regioselective fashion over distant methyl or methylene groups in β or γ positions. The observed correlation between the nature of the anionic ligands (halide vs. carboxylate) bonded to copper and the chemoselectivity of the C(sp³)-H activation process points to a concerted metalation-deprotonation pathway prior to cyclization to furnish the corresponding imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative. This copper-mediated C(sp³)-H bond functionalization reaction works for a variety of substrates incorporating linear alkyl chains (from 3 to 12 carbon atoms), and good functional group tolerance (aryl, ether and ester groups). Cu-Catalyzed C(sp²)-H cyanation on the imidazole ring can then take place selectively under oxidative conditions.

CBr4 Mediated [4 + 1] Dehydrocyclization for the Synthesis of Functionalized Imidazo[1,5-a]heterocycles from Pyridin-2-ylmethanamines and Aldehydes

A CBr₄ mediated [4 + 1] dehydrocyclization was developed for the synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]heterocycles from pyridin-2-ylmethanamines and aldehydes. This method was highly practical with the advantages of wide substrate scope, functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions.

Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives: useful, luminescent and versatile scaffolds for different applications

In the last few years, imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine nuclei and derivatives have attracted growing attention due to their unique chemical structure and versatility, optical behaviours, and biological properties.

Synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via cyclocondensation of 2-(aminomethyl)pyridines with electrophilically activated nitroalkanes

Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines were efficiently prepared via the cyclization of 2-picolylamines with nitroalkanes electrophilically activated in the presence of phosphorous acid in polyphosphoric acid (PPA) medium.

Mg3N2-assisted one-pot synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine

A novel Mg₃N₂-assisted one-pot annulation strategy has been developed via cyclo-condensation reaction of 2-pyridyl ketones with alkyl glyoxylates or aldehydes, allowing the formation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines exclusively with an exellent yield.

Recent advances in the synthesis of bridgehead (or ring-junction) nitrogen heterocycles via transition metal-catalyzed C–H bond activation and functionalization

An update on recent advances in the synthesis of bridgehead nitrogen fused heterocycles via transition metal-catalyzed C–H activation and functionalization is reported.

Recent advances on the transition-metal-catalyzed synthesis of imidazopyridines: an updated coverage

A comprehensive account of recent advances in the synthesis of imidazopyridines, assisted through transition-metal-catalyzed multicomponent reactions, C-H activation/functionalization and coupling reactions are highlighted in this review article. The basic illustration of this review comprises of schemes with concise account of explanatory text. The schemes depict the reaction conditions along with a quick look into the mechanism involved to render a deep understanding of the catalytic role. At some instances optimizations of certain features have been illustrated through tables, i.e., selectivity of catalyst, loading of the catalyst and percentage yield with different substrates. Each of the reported examples has been rigorously analyzed for reacting substrates, reaction conditions and transition metals used as the catalyst. This review will be helpful to the chemists in understanding the challenges associated with the reported methods as well as the future possibilities, both in the choice of substrates and catalysts. This review would be quite appealing to a wider range of organic chemists in academia and industrial R&D sectors working in the field of heterocyclic syntheses. In a nutshell, this review will be a guiding torch to envisage: (i) the role of various transition metals in the domain dedicated towards method development and (ii) for the modifications needed thereof in the R&D sector.

Metal-free synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via elemental sulfur mediated sequential dual oxidative Csp3-H amination

A simple and efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines using the elemental sulfur mediated sequential dual oxidative Csp3-H amination of 2-pyridyl acetates and amines under metal- and peroxide-free conditions. Broad substrate scope, operational simplicity and gram-scale ability make this chemistry very practical.

Design and Exploration of Catalytic Activity of Two-Dimensional Surface-Engineered Graphene Oxide Nanosheets in the Transannulation of N-Heterocyclic Aldehydes or Ketones with Alkylamines

In this work, pharmaceutically and biologically important compounds containing imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine nuclei have been synthesized via transannulation of N-heteroaryl aldehydes or ketones with alkylamines using a graphene oxide-supported copper catalyst. The nanocatalyst was fabricated by the covalent immobilization of 4-aminoantipyrine onto an amine-functionalized graphene oxide nanosupport followed by its metallation with copper acetate. Structural analysis by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the two-dimensional sheet-like structure of graphene oxide is maintained even after the chemical modifications, whereas XPS revealed crucial information related to elemental composition and surface electronic states of the metal present in the catalyst. Apart from this, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy helped in identifying the degree of oxidation and the presence of oxygenated groups in graphene oxide nanocomposites. As a heterogeneous catalyst, this graphene oxide-supported copper complex showed moderate to good catalytic activity in the C(sp3)-H bond activation/amination of a variety of substrates. This superior catalytic performance originated from the unique 2-dimensional structure of graphene oxide-based material which provided space between graphitic overlayers due to appropriate positioning of metal on their basal planes, decreasing the diffusion resistances of reactant surfaces, thus making it function as a nanoreactor. More importantly, this nanomaterial could be recovered easily and reused repeatedly by simple washing without chemical treatment with no appreciable loss in its catalytic activity, showing good potential for increasing the overall turnover number of this synthetically useful catalyst.

An AcOH-mediated metal free approach towards the synthesis of bis-carbolines and imidazopyridoindole derivatives and assessment of their photophysical properties

A concise, atom-economical and environmentally sustainable tandem strategy has been formulated to access highly fluorescent (Φ_F up to 40%) target molecules via the formation of three C–N bonds in a single operation.

A study on the reaction of 3-alkyl(aryl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines with ninhydrin

The reaction of 3-alkyl(aryl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines (1) with ninhydrin in dichloromethane at room temperature delivered good yields of the respective 2-hydroxy-2-(imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-1-yl)indene-1,3-diones. In the presence of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), this uncatalyzed electrophilic substitution reaction, involving C-1 (in 1) and the central C=O (in ninhydrin), takes precedence over the three-component 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. This selectivity is probably due to the higher electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon-2 in ninhydrin as compared to that of the sp-carbon atoms in DMAD, augmented with the high nucleophilicity of carbon-1 in 1.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Carbon-Carbon and/or Carbon-Heteroatom Bond Formation with O2 or Internal Oxidants

Selective oxidation, a fundamental organic transformation of critical importance, produces value-added products from simple organic molecules. This process is extensively used to incorporate heteroatoms into carbon-based molecules, where high-valent metal salts, hypervalent halogen reagents, and peroxides are widely used as oxidants. Oxidation reactions are extremely challenging because their selectivity is hard to control and/or they form significant quantities of unwanted waste derived from the stoichiometric oxidants. Undoubtedly, the utilization of green oxidants such as molecular oxygen (O₂) or internal oxidants provides tunable oxidation abilities and produces no environmentally hazardous byproducts. Thus, synthetic chemists have devoted increasing attention to the utilization of green oxidants to obtain valuable products. Since the first industrial application of noble metal-catalyzed oxidation, i.e., Pd/Cu/O₂-mediated Wacker oxidation, precious metal-catalyzed organic reactions have undergone significant development in both the laboratory and industry. However, the high cost and considerable toxicity of precious metals compel chemists to explore the catalytic activities of earth-abundant, first-row transition metals. Copper is abundant, easy to utilize, and relatively insensitive to water and air. Controllable access to Cu(0), Cu(I), Cu(II), and Cu(III) oxidation states ensures that copper can be applied as a tunable and multifunctional catalyst. Copper-catalyzed transformations involve single-electron transfer (SET), two-electron processes (TEPs) and even the cooperation of SET and TEPs. More importantly, in Cu/O₂ catalytic systems, ligands, additives, and solvents can tune the oxidation state of copper from Cu(I) to Cu(III). As a result, the development of copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative reactions is possible and desirable. Progress in these synthetic methods will enable breakthroughs in natural product synthesis, materials science, and bioorganic chemistry. This Account describes our efforts over the last several years to develop copper-catalyzed C-C or C-heteroatom bond formation reactions with oxygen or internal oxidants as the oxidant. We primarily focused on reaction with simple substrates, including cross-couplings, cycloadditions, cyclizations, and condensations. These transformations provide convenient and efficient strategies for constructing multiple bonds, such as C-C/C-O bonds, C-C/C-N bonds, and C-N/C-S bonds, in one pot. Various alkynes, furans, benzofurans, lactones, sulfones, thioethers, and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds were synthesized with high selectivity and atom economy from abundant, commercially available and inexpensive starting materials. These methods were successfully applied to the construction of drug molecules and skeletons of natural products. Additionally, the designed control experiments and serendipitous observations have given us mechanistic insights into copper-catalyzed green oxidation. Uncovering the activity of copper-catalyzed green oxidation involving oxygen and oxime esters has allowed us to extend the scope of those green oxidation reactions. We believe that copper-catalyzed green oxidation transformations can be made even more eco-friendly and economical in the synthesis of valuable compounds.

Copper-catalyzed decarboxylative regioselective synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles

A copper-catalyzed decarboxylative regioselective protocol for the synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via direct annulation of cinnamic acids with aryl azides has been developed. This is the first example of 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles using Cu(ii) as the catalyst, which were generally synthesized using a ruthenium(ii) catalyst.

A Cu(ii) metal–organic framework with significant H2 and CO2 storage capacity and heterogeneous catalysis for the aerobic oxidative amination of C(sp3)–H bonds and Biginelli reactions

1 exhibits significant H₂, CO₂ storage capacity and heterogeneous catalytic activity for oxidative amination of C(sp³)–H bonds and Biginelli reactions.

The synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]quinolinesviaa decarboxylative cyclization under metal-free conditions

An iodine-mediated decarboxylative cyclization was developed from α-amino acids and 2-methyl quinolines under metal-free conditions, affording a variety of imidazo[1,5-a]quinolines with moderate to good yields.

An iodine-mediated decarboxylative cyclization was developed from α-amino acids and 2-methyl quinolines under metal-free conditions, affording a variety of imidazo[1,5-a]quinolines with moderate to good yields.

Synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via I2-mediated sp3 C–H amination

A transition-metal-free sp³ C–H amination reaction has been developed employing molecular iodine for imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine synthesis.

Chloroacetate Promotes and Participates in the Oxidative Annulation of Pyridines/Isoquinoline by Using Oxygen as the Oxidant

The aerobic oxidative annulation of chalcones, pyridines/isoquinoline and ethyl chloroacetate to indolizines was achieved by cascade reaction. Various functional groups on chalcones were tolerated. And different pyridines derivatives could also be suitable substrates. Ethyl chloroacetate is an essential component in participating of the oxidative annulation process. Overall, this protocol is very practical and efficient by using molecular oxygen as oxidant with high selectivity for the annulation product.

Aerobic Copper-Catalyzed Halocyclization of Methyl N-Heteroaromatics with Aliphatic Amines: Access to Functionalized Imidazo-Fused N-Heterocycles

A new aerobic copper-catalyzed halocyclization reaction of methyl N-heteroaromatics and aliphatic amines has been developed, which enables straightforward access to functionalized imidazo-fused N-heterocycles with the merits of good functional tolerance, use of easily available copper salts as the catalysts, lithium halides as the halogen sources, and O₂ as a sole oxidant. Due to the reaction features' selective introduction of halogen functionalities to the newly formed imidazo ring, further extensions of the developed chemistry toward synthetic diversity, including effective access to functional materials, are easily envisioned.

Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Denitrogenative Transannulation of Pyridotriazoles with Nitriles: Synthesis of Imidazopyridines

The synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines through denitrogenative transannulation of pyridotriazoles with nitriles using BF₃·Et₂O as catalyst has been described. The combination of solvents (dichlorobenzene-dichloroethane) plays a crucial role in achieving quantitative yields of desired products under metal-free conditions.

Synthesis of Fused Imidazole-Containing Ring Systems via Dual Oxidative Amination of C(sp(3))-H Bonds

A general and efficient method for a metal-free one-pot synthesis of highly substituted fused imidazole-containing 5,5- and 5,6-fused bicyclic heterocycles is described. Starting from commercially available substrates and reagents, the reaction proceeds through two C-N bond formations and an oxidative dehydrogenation to form highly substituted products in good to excellent yield.