Manganese-catalyzed dehydrogenative Csp3-Csp2 coupling of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with methyl ketones.

A Mn(ii)-catalyzed efficient C-H alkylation of imidazoheterocycles with methyl ketones has been developed via dehydrogenative C(sp3)-C(sp2) coupling which can serve as a novel approach toward hydrocarboxylated imidazolopyridines. The merit of this strategy is illustrated by excellent functional group tolerance and the use of cheap and readily available starting materials.