Catalyst-free selenylation of imidazoheterocycles

Abstract

A simple, efficient, and practical method for the phenylselenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via electrophilic substitution employing readily available phenylselenium bromide has been developed in aqueous media at room temperature. A library of 3-phenylselenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been synthesized employing this methodology with high yields. The present protocol is also applicable for the phenylselenylation of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole.