C–H cycloamination of N-aryl-2-aminopyridines and N-arylamidines catalyzed by an in situ generated hypervalent iodine(iii) reagent

Abstract

A metal-free synthesis of diversified pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and 1H-benzo[d]imidazoles from N-aryl-2-aminopyridines and N-arylamidines has been developed. The C–H cycloamination reaction was catalyzed by hypervalent iodine(III) species generated in situ from iodobenzene (catalytic) and peracetic acid (stoichiometric). The reaction proceeded smoothly at ambient temperature to provide the corresponding N-heterocycles in good to excellent yields.