I2-Catalyzed Three-Component Consecutive Reaction for the Synthesis of 3-Aroylimidazo[1,2-a]-N-Heterocycles.

A convenient one-pot, three-component reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 3-aroylimidazo[1,2-a]-N-heterocycles from aryl ketones and 2-amino-N-heterocycles using dimethyl sulfoxide as a methylene donor. The reaction proceeds smoothly catalyzed by I2 in the presence of K2S2O8 and affords the desired products in moderate to good yields. This protocol offers significant superiority in accessing biologically active 3-aroylimidazo[1,2-a]-N-heterocycles with various substitution patterns.