Montmorillonite K10 clay accelerated green protocol for the pseudo-five-component synthesis of substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Abstract

An array of conjugated Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were synthesized via a one-pot, pseudo-five-component reaction incorporating aryl aldehydes, malononitrile, thiophenol or phenol, and acetophenone or acetyl derivatives stimulated by Montmorillonite K10 clay as an eco-friendly catalyst. The entire procedure involves the formation of two new rings, three C–N bonds, two C-C bonds, and one C–X bond. This strategy enables quick green access to functionally multifaceted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine analogues while highlighting good yields, pure products, an expedient reaction condition, and the reusability of the catalyst up to two cycles. All of the synthesized compounds were characterized through 1H,13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy techniques.