Iodine-Promoted Oxidative Coupling Reaction: A Simple and Efficient Process to Access Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-Aminopyridines and Chalcones.

Abstract A unique and efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with aminopyridines and chalcones via a one-pot I2-induced aerobic oxidative coupling. The reported reaction proceeded though a tandem Michael addition followed by an intramolecular oxidative amination with high regioselectivity, yields and good functional group tolerance.