Iodine mediated oxidative cross coupling of 2-aminopyridine and aromatic terminal alkyne: a practical route to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives.

A novel, transition-metal free route leading to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives via iodine mediated oxidative coupling between 2-aminopyridine and aromatic terminal alkyne has been demonstrated. This newly developed method discloses an operationally simple way for the construction of imidazoheterocycles. Commercially available antiulcer drug zolimidine may readily be synthesized employing this method.