Novel one step synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and Zolimidine via iron/iodine-catalyzed Ortoleva-King type protocol

Abstract

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines form versatile scaffolds in pharmaceutical industry arising from their diverse biological activities. The synthesis of these molecules thus has been of great interest and resulted in the development of a large number of new methodologies. Herein we describe the first iron-catalyzed Ortoleva-King type protocol towards the synthesis of these fused heterocyclic compounds. This methodology employs cheap and easily available FeCl3·6H2O and molecular iodine as the catalytic system. The procedure has been well explored by extending the substrate scope with a variety of aromatic ketones and 2-aminopyridines to furnish different imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives in moderate to good yields. A successful application of this protocol was also demonstrated by achieving direct one step synthesis of the gastro protective drug, Zolimidine.