Peroxide-mediated site-specific C–H methylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones under metal-free conditions

Abstract

An effective approach to realize the direct methylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with peroxides under metal-free conditions is described. In this protocol, peroxides serve as both the radical initiator and methyl source. Methylated imidazopyridines and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were smoothly synthesized in moderate to good yields. A free radical reaction mechanism was proposed to describe the methylation process.