Iodine-promoted oxidative coupling reaction: a simple and efficient process to access imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-aminopyridines and chalcones.

A unique and efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with aminopyridines and chalcones via a one-pot I2-induced aerobic oxidative coupling. The reported reaction proceeded though a tandem Michael addition followed by an intramolecular oxidative amination with high regioselectivity, yields and good functional group tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]