Cu(i)-catalyzed double C–H amination: synthesis of 2-iodo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

An iodine/CuI mediated double oxidative C–H amination reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 2-iodo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, which can serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) of marketed drugs like saripidem and nicopidem.