Review
Recent advances in transition-metal-free C–H functionalization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gresc.2022.03.007Get rights and content
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Abstract

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines are unique nitrogen-containing organic compounds with wide applications in pharmaceuticals, natural products, material science and organometallics. Due to their significant biological and synthetic value, the construction of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffolds has been a highly intriguing research topic, and substantial progress had been made in the past decades. In this review, we aim to summarize the current advances in direct C–H functionalization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines under transition-metal-free conditions. For the selected examples, we focused on the design and catalytic cycle mechanism, as well as on representative outcomes and applications.

Graphical abstract

This review summarized the state-of-the-art C–H functionalization of nitrogen-heterocyclic compounds such as imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine under transition-metal-free conditions and discussed the catalytic cycle for the mechanism of selected representative reactions.

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Keywords

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines
Transition metal-free
Iodo-mediated
Organocatalyst
Oxidant-mediated
Base-mediated
Catalyst-free

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Linlin Shi received his Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry from Peking University in 2019 under the supervision of Prof. Zhen Yang and Prof. Jianxian Gong. In 2020, he began his independent academic career at the College of Chemistry at Zhengzhou University. His research interest mainly focused on the development of novel methods for carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation through C–H activation. Additionally, he is working on the total synthesis of anticancer and antibacterial natural products.

Tiantian Li completed her B.S. degree in Applied Chemistry from Henan Agricultural University. Since 2019, she has begun her master's degree studies in Organic Chemistry from Zhengzhou University under the supervision of Prof. Mao-Ping Song. Currently, her research interest focuses on the development and application of green catalytic methods.

Guang-Jian Mei graduated from Zhengzhou University in 2011 and received his Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Chuang-Chuang Li and Prof. Zhen Yang from Peking University in 2016. Then he joined the Jiangsu Normal University as an Associate Professor. From 2018, he carried out his postdoctoral research with Prof. Yixin Lu at National University of Singapore. In 2021, he started his independent academic career in Zhengzhou University, and his current research interest focuses on asymmetric catalysis.

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Linlin Shi and Tiantian Li contributed equally to this work.