Iodine-mediated regioselective C-3 sulfenylation using elemental sulfur and arylhydrazine hydrochloride to access 3-sulfenylated imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

A regioselective C-3 sulfenylation of imidazo[1,2- a ]pyridines has been accomplished using arylhydrazine hydrochloride and elemental sulfur, in the presence of molecular iodine and DABCO via a transition metal-free protocol.