Metal-free C-3 selective C(sp(2))–C(sp(3)) heteroarylation of anilines with imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives via cross-dehydrogenative coupling

A general and straightforward method for the regioselective construction of C-3 heteroaryl-containing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via cross-dehydrogenative coupling under transition-metal-free conditions has been reported, utilizing N,N-dimethylaniline as the methylenation source and furnishing the C(sp(2))–C(sp(3)) functionalized products in good to excellent yields. Mechanism studies indicate that a radical pathway is responsible for this transformation.