A Carbonylation Approach Toward Activation of Csp2-H and Csp3-H Bonds: Cu-Catalyzed Regioselective Cross Coupling of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with Methyl Hetarenes.

An efficient copper-catalyzed selective cross coupling of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with methyl hetarenes has been reported. This transformation opened a new route to synthesize the C-3 carbonyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivative, which is a common structural motif in natural products and pharmaceuticals. (18)O-labeling experiments indicated that the oxygen source of products originated from O2.

Regioselective Copper-Catalyzed Dicarbonylation of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with N,N-Disubstituted Acetamide or Acetone: An Approach to 1,2-Diketones Using Molecular Oxygen.

A novel copper-catalyzed regioselective double carbonylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with N,N-disubstituted acetamide or acetone using molecular oxygen has been described. It has provided a new approach to synthesize 1,2-carbonyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, which are important substrates and intermediates in preparation of fine chemicals. The product shares a skeleton similar to that of Zolpidem, one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. (18)O-labeling experiments unambiguously established that the oxygen source of products originated from O2 rather than H2O.