Copper-catalyzed intramolecular dehydrogenative cyclization: direct access to sensitive formyl-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Abstract

A direct method for the synthesis of formyl-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was achieved easily from cyclization of aminopyridines and cinnamaldehydes via copper catalysis. This oxidative cyclization process involved direct C–H bond functionalization, and C–C/C–N bond formation. In this transformation, the sensitive aldehyde group was preserved under oxidative conditions.