Synthesis of 1,3-Disubstituted Imidazo[1,5-<i>a</i>]pyridines from Amino Acids via Catalytic Decarboxylative Intramolecular Cyclization

Abstract

A copper/iodine cocatalyzed decarboxylative cyclization of α-amino acids is described. Starting from the readily available amino acids and either 2-benzoylpyridines or 2-benzoylquinolines, 1,3-disubstituted imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines and 1,3-disubstituted imidazo[1,5-a]quinolines were prepared in excellent yields.