An environmentally benign protocol for the iodination of imidazoheterocycles has been developed through sp2 C–H bond functionalization with molecular iodine in water at room temperature. The reaction is catalyzed by an imidazole-based zwitterion-type molten salt. A library of iodo-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with broad functionality have been synthesized. This methodology is also applicable to imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and imidazole scaffolds.
Key words
organocatalyst - zwitterionic salt - imidazoheterocycles - regioselectivity - iodine - water