Iodine-catalyzed regioselective thiolation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using sulfonyl hydrazides as a thiol surrogate

Abstract

Iodine-catalyzed regioselective sulfenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via C(sp²)–H bond functionalization has been achieved using sulfonyl hydrazides as a thiol surrogate. A library of 3-sulfanylimidazopyridines with broad functionalities was synthesized under metal and oxidant-free practical reaction conditions. This methodology is also applicable for the regioselective sulfenylation of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole.