Aminomethylation of Imidazoheterocycles with Morpholine.

A hitherto unreported aminomethylation occurs at C-3 of imidazopyridines with morpholine in the presence of (diacetoxyiodo)benzene at ambient temperature in short reaction times. This methodology is also applicable to indolizine, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, and indole. Interestingly, the aminomethylation involving morpholine as a source of methylene group is a new phenomenon. This protocol is of much potential for the synthesis of aminomethylated derivatives under mild reaction conditions.