Visible light-induced photocatalytic C-H ethoxycarbonylmethylation of imidazoheterocycles with ethyl diazoacetate.

A visible light-mediated regioselective C3-ethoxycarbonylmethylation of imidazopyridines with ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) was achieved under mild reaction conditions. In contrast to the carbene precursors from α-diazoester a first C3-ethoxycarbonylmethylation of imidazopyridines via a radical intermediate has been established. The present methodology provides a concise route to access pharmacologically useful esters with wide functional group tolerance in high yields.