An iron-catalyzed dehydrogenative sp3-sp2 coupling of acetonitrile and 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine has been realized, which can serve as a novel approach toward heteroarylacetonitriles. The merit of this strategy is illustrated by the breadth of functional groups tolerated in the transformation and the fast access to pharmaceuticals (such as zolpidem) directly from the heteroarylacetonitriles.

This iron-catalyzed dehydrogenative sp3-sp2 coupling of acetonitrile and 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine allows for the rapid access to pharmaceuticals like zolpidem directly from heteroarylacetonitriles.

Paper

Iron-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative sp3-sp2 Coupling via Direct Oxidative C-H Activation of Acetonitrile.

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