Convenient Synthesis of Alkenyl‐, Alkynyl‐, and Allenyl‐Substituted Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines via Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions

A systematic study on the Stille and Sonogashira cross‐coupling of iodinated imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines was performed, permitting the preparation of various vinyl‐, ethynyl‐, and allenyl‐substituted derivatives. These methods are particularly valuable, given their experimental simplicity and high degree of flexibility with regard to functional groups that can be introduced in positions 3, 6, or 8 of the imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine core. Effects concerning different substitution positions and the nature of the 2‐substituent under various reaction conditions are reported in detail for the above types of unsaturated groups introduced.     

(Hetero)Arylation of 6‐Halogenoimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines Differently Substituted at C(2): Influence of the 2‐Substituent on the Suzuki Cross‐Coupling Reaction

We previously reported that reactivity towards the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction of 3‐iodoimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines substituted at C(2) is largely influenced by the nature of this 2‐substituent. Hence, with the aim to expand the scope of this coupling process to the 6‐position of this series, it seemed important to similarly determine the influence of the nature of the 2‐substituent (H, alkyl, or aryl) on the rate of coupling. From this work, the Suzuki‐type cross‐coupling was shown to proceed efficiently on 6‐bromo‐2‐methyl‐ and 2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines, whereas the 6‐Br derivative unsubstituted at C(2) appeared to be poorly reactive. By modifying the reaction conditions in terms of catalyst and base, and the nature of the halogen, the reactivity of the unsubstituted series was largely enhanced. Finally, this work led us to establish efficient and convenient Suzuki reaction conditions for the 6‐(hetero)arylation of 6‐halogenoimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines depending on the nature of the 2‐substituent and boronic acid.     

Strategies for Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine Derivatives: Carbene Transformations or C−H Functionalizations

The imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines are an important target in organic synthetic chemistry and have attracted critical attention of chemists mainly due to the discovery of the interesting properties exhibited by a great number of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives. Although lots of synthetic methods of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines have been developed in the past years, the chemistry community faces continuing challenges to use green reagents, maximize atom economy and enrich the functional group diversity of product. Undoubtedly, with its low cost and lack of environmentally hazardous byproducts, cascade reactions and C?H functionalizations are ideal strategies for this field. In this record we highlight some of our progress toward the goal to synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives through carbene transformations or C?H functionalizations.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine Analogues of the ZSTK474 Class of Phosphatidylinositol 3‐Kinase Inhibitors

Using a scaffold‐hopping approach, imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine analogues of the ZSTK474 (benzimidazole) class of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitors have been synthesized for biological evaluation. Compounds were prepared using a heteroaryl Heck reaction procedure, involving the palladium‐catalysed coupling of 2‐(difluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines with chloro, iodo or trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy (trifloxy) substituted 1,3,5‐triazines or pyrimidines, with the iodo intermediates being preferred in terms of higher yields and milder reaction conditions. The new compounds maintain the PI3K isoform selectivity of their benzimidazole analogues, but in general show less potency.     

Vertically π‐Expanded Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine: The Missing Link of the Puzzle

The dehydrogenative coupling of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivative has been achieved for the first time. In cases in which the most‐electron‐rich position of the electron‐excessive heterocycle was blocked by a naphthalen‐1‐yl substituent, neither oxidative aromatic coupling nor reaction under Scholl conditions enabled the fusion of the rings. The only method that converted the substrate into the corresponding imidazo[5,1,2‐de]naphtho[1,8‐ab]quinolizine was coupling in the presence of potassium in anhydrous toluene. Moreover, we discovered new, excellent conditions for this anion‐radical coupling reaction, which employed dry O₂ from the start in the reaction mixture. This method afforded vertically fused imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine in 63 % yield. Interestingly, whereas the fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_fl) of compound 3 , despite the freedom of rotation, was close to 50 %, the Φ_fl value of flat naphthalene‐imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine was only 5 %. Detailed analysis of this compound by using DFT calculations and a low‐temperature Shpol′skii matrix revealed phosphorescence emission, thus indicating that efficient intersystem‐crossing from the lowest‐excited S₁ level to the triplet manifold was the competing process with fluorescence.     

Fused Heterocycles: Synthesis and Antitubercular Activity of Novel 6‐Substituted‐2‐(4‐methyl‐2‐substituted phenylthiazol‐5‐yl)H‐imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine

A series of 6‐substituted‐2‐(4‐methyl‐2‐substituted phenylthiazol‐5‐yl)H‐imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l is described. The antitubercular activity of the synthesized compounds was determined against Mycobacterium smegmatis MC² 155 strain. From the activity result, it was found that the phenyl or 4‐fluorophenyl group at 2 position of thiazole nucleus and bromo substituent at 6 position of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine showed good antitubercular activity.     

Synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5‐a]‐, 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]‐ and imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidines related to zaleplon,a new drug for the treatment of insomnia

This paper describes the preparation of some pyrazolo[1,5‐a]‐, 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]‐ and imidazo[1,2‐a]‐pyrimidines substituted on the pyrimidine moiety by a 4‐[(N‐acetyl‐N‐ethyl)amino]phenyl group. A new synthesis of related benzo[h]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]‐, benzo[h]pyrazolo[5,1‐b]‐ and benzo[h]1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]‐quinazolines is also reported.     

A convenient synthesis of novel pyrido(1′,2′:1,2)imidazo[5,4‐d]‐1,2,3‐triazinones from imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines

The imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine system was investigated as a synthon for the building of very attractive fused triazines, a planar, angular tri‐heterocycle with potential biological activity. Thus ethyl 3‐nitroimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐2‐carboxylate was treated with ammonia or with an excess of primary amines to generate the corresponding substituted nitro carboxamidoimidazopyridines. The nitro substituent in the latter products, was reduced to yield 3‐amino‐2‐carboxamidoimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives, which in turn were treated with nitrous acid to furnish 1‐oxo‐2‐substituted pyrido(1′,2′:1,2)imidazo[5,4‐d]‐1,2,3‐triazines.     

Preparation of 2-aryl and 2-aryloxymethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and related compounds

A series of substituted 2-aryl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been prepared in which a variety of substituents are introduced on the 4′-position of the phenyl ring and on the 3, 5 , 6 or 7 position of the heterocyclic ring. Most examples have acetamido, bromo, cyano, or formyl substituents at the 4′-position. Analogous imidazo-[2,1-b]fhiazoles and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines have also been prepared. Another series of compounds consisting of 4′-formylphenoxymethyl derivatives of imidazole, the three positional isomers of pyridine, thiazole, benzimidazole and ring-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been prepared. 2-(4′-Formylphenylethenyl) derivatives of imidazole and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine were also prepared.     

Heterocyclization reaction of 2‐(2‐methylaziridin‐1‐yl)‐3‐ureidopyridines under appel's conditions

The reaction of 2‐(2‐methylaziridin‐1‐yl)‐3‐ureidopyridines 12 with triphenylphosphine, carbon tetra‐chloride, and triethylamine (Appel's conditions) led to the corresponding carbodiimides 13 , which underwent intramolecular cycloaddition reaction with aziridine under the reaction conditions to give the pyridine‐fused heterocycles, 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazo[2′,3′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridines 16 and 12,13‐dihydro‐5H‐1,3 ‐benzodiazepino [2′,3′:2,3] imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridines 17 .     

Iodobenzene‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from Aryl Ketones with mCPBA in Ionic Liquid

Iodobenzene‐catalyzed synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from aryl ketones with mCPBA as a cooxidant in ionic liquid is described. The method is simple, rapid and practical, generating Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from the aryl ketone without isolation of α‐tosyloxyketones in good to excellent yields.     

Green One‐Pot Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines,Azolo[3,4‐d]pyridiazines,and Thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines Containing Triazole Moiety

Synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, 8,10‐dimethyl‐2‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyrido[2′,3′:3,4]‐pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine via heterocyclic amines, and sodium 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one were carried out. Also, synthesis of isoxazoles, and pyrazoles from sodium 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one and hydroxymoyl chlorides and hydrazonoyl halides, respectively, were made. Analogously, (1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine derivatives were obtained from sodium 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐ triazole‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one and cyanothioacetamide followed by its reacting with active methylene compounds. In addition to full characterization of all synthesized compounds, they were tested to evaluate their antimicrobial activities, and some compounds showed competitive activities to those of tetracycline, the typical antibacterial drug, and clotrimazole, the typical antifungal drug.     

Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines and Imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles Attached to a Cycloalkyl or Saturated Heterocycle Containing a Tertiary Hydroxy Substitution

A new method has been developed for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines, imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles, and benzo[d]imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles attached to a cycloalkyl or saturated heterocycle containing a tertiary hydroxy substitution. Readily available substituted 2‐aminopyridines, 2‐aminothiazoles, and 2‐aminobenzothiazoles were treated with bromohydroxycycloalkyl ethanones to afford the desired products in good yields.     

Synthesis of Novel Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridin‐2‐amines from Arylamines and Nitriles via Sequential Addition and I2/KI‐Mediated Oxidative Cyclization

A novel and practical strategy for the construction of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridin‐2‐amine frameworks has been developed. The present sequential approach involves addition of arylamines to nitriles and I₂/KI‐mediated oxidative C?N bond formation without purification of the intermediate amidines. This operationally simple synthetic process provides a facile access to a variety of new 2‐amino substituted imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines and related heterocyclic compounds in an efficient and scalable fashion.     

A Facile One‐pot Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Isoxazolyl Imidazo[1,2‐a] Pyridines Through CuI‐Promoted Cyclization

A copper iodide‐promoted cyclization for the synthesis of isoxazolyl imidazo[1,2‐a] pyridines 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j in a one‐pot procedure has been investigated by interaction of 2‐aminopyridines 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e with nitrostyrylisoxazoles 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e , 2f under aerial oxidation condition. Similarly, the one‐pot reaction of 2‐amino pyridines 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e with 4‐bromonitrostyrylisoxazole 2d in the presence of copper iodide under aerial oxidation condition, followed by reaction with phenyl acetylenes in situ afforded highly functionalized imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines 10a , 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e , 10f , 10g , 10h , 10i , 10j by the Sonogashira coupling.     

Novel approach in the synthesis of imidazo [1, 2-a] pyridine from phenyl acrylic acids

This paper describes highly efficient concise method for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine. It is a first report employing, amino pyridines, copper nitrate, and phenyl acrylic acids in the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine. The silent features of the devised protocol include the high yield, milder reaction conditions, and shorter reaction time.     

An Efficient One‐Pot Four‐Component Synthesis of Functionalized Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines

An efficient one‐pot four‐component protocol for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines was developed by condensing ethane‐1,2‐diamine ( 2 ), 1,1‐bis(methylthio)‐2‐nitroethene ( 1 ), aldehydes 3 , and activated methylene compounds in EtOH under reflux conditions (Tables 1–3). The features of this procedure are operational simplicity, good yields of products, in situ preparation of heterocyclic ketene aminals (HKA), and catalyst‐free conditions.     

Synthesis of 2‐imino‐7‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]‐pyrimidin‐5(1H)‐ones and their reactions with nucleophiles

[2‐Alkylthio‐6‐methyl‐4‐oxopyrimidin‐3(4H)‐yl]acetonitriles ( 3‐5 ) treated with sodium methoxide in methanol followed by ammonium chloride were cyclized to 2‐imino‐7‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]‐pyrimidin‐5(1H)‐ones ( 6‐8 ). Under acid or base‐catalyzed hydrolysis they were converted to 7‐methyl‐imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐2,5‐[1H,3H]‐diones ( 9‐11 ), whereas in the reaction with butyl‐ or benzylamine the corresponding 7‐methyl‐2‐(substitutedamino)imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐5(3H)‐ones ( 13‐18 ) were produced. The latter were found to exist in two tautomeric forms in CDCl₃ solution.     

Reactivity of (2‐methylsulfanyl‐4‐oxo‐6‐phenyl‐4h‐pyrimidin‐3‐yl)‐acetic acid methyl ester towards hydrazine hydrate and benzylamine

The title ester 1 reacted with hydrazine hydrate to give hydrazide 2 , which underwent intramolecular cyclization to yield 1‐amino‐7‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐2,5‐dione ( 3 ) or took place in a substitution reaction with benzylamine to form N‐benzyl‐2‐(2‐benzylamino‐4‐oxo‐6‐phenyl‐4H‐pyrimidin‐3‐yl)‐acetamide ( 4 ). The reaction of ester 1 with benzylamine gave corresponding amide 7 , disubstituted derivative 4 or 1‐benzyl‐7‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐2,5‐dione ( 8 ) depending on the reaction conditions.     

Microwave‐Assisted Expedite Synthesis of 2‐Phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridylquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones

An efficient methodology has been developed for the synthesis of quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one derivatives of 2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines by microwave‐irradiated Hinsberg heterocyclization between 2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐3‐glyoxalates and o‐phenylenediamine using either montmorillonite K‐10 or Yb(OTf)₃ as catalysts. Montmorillonite K‐10 was proven to be an efficient catalyst for the heterocyclization reaction between sterically hindered glyoxalate and o‐phenylenediamine only under microwave conditions. The use of Yb(OTf)₃/tetrahydrofuran was also found to be an effective catalyst for the above chemical transformation among a series of Lewis acids screened under microwave conditions; however, comparatively lesser yields were obtained as compared with the use of montmorillonite K‐10.