Persulfate promoted regioselective C-1 thiocyanation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines under visible light irradiation in water

Abstract

A visible light-mediated, photocatalyst-free, persulfate-promoted approach has been explored for regioselective C-1 thiocyanation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines. Reproducibility of the proposed methodology in the presence of diverse electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups on the C-3 aryl ring and different heteroaryl and alkyl substituents at the C-3 position of the imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine nucleus widened the substrate scope. The proposed protocol is further reproducible for diverse imidazoheterocycles. Control experiments were performed to investigate the mechanism of reaction.