FeCl₃-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling between Imidazoheterocycles and Oxoaldehydes

Abstract

An Fe(III)-catalyzed efficient dicarbonylation of imidazoheterocycles has been developed through cross-dehydrogenative coupling between imidazoheterocycles and oxoaldehydes under ambient air in high yields. The present protocol is also applicable to indolizines. Imidazopyridine produced bisimidazopyridine with arylaldehyde. Experimental results suggest that the reactions proceed through the nonradical pathway.