Synthesis of symmetrical methylene-bridged imidazoheterocycles using DMSO as methylene source under metal-free conditions

Org Biomol Chem. 2016 Jul 6;14(27):6523-30. doi: 10.1039/c6ob00977h.

Abstract

A facile H3PO4-promoted bridging methylenation of imidazopyridines or similar heterocycles has been described for the synthesis of symmetrical methylene-bridged imidazoheterocycles, in which DMSO was used as the carbon source. The reaction obtained good yields for most substrates with high C3-regioselectivity. This method also features metal-free, practicability and low cost.