Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines: C-H Functionalization in the Direction of C-S Bond Formation.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines play an important role in medicinal chemistry. In spite of very drastic developments on syntheses and functionalization in this area, the use of inexpensive catalysts and mild reaction conditions constitutes an important role in pharmaceutical applications. This account describes our recent efforts on the development of new methods for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using readily available starting substrates and catalysts under very mild reaction conditions. In the direction of enhancement of biological activity, we also described the synthesis of functionalized imidazo [1,2-a]pyridine derivatives.