This work is dedicated to the victims of the recent Tainan earthquake.
A catalytic paradigm is described featuring a synergistic interaction between nickel, aluminum and different ligands to impart a rather remote C–H alkenylation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines at the C-8 position without the necessity of installing a directing group. The scope of the direct C–H activation reactions of various 5-aryl- and 3-arylimidazopyridines is established using different sterically hindered alkynes.
Key words
C–H activation - nickel - aluminum - imidazopyridines - cooperative catalysis