I2-Mediated [3+2] annulation of methyl-azaarenes with alkyl 2-isocyanoacetates or amino acid ester hydrochlorides: selective synthesis of iodine-functionalized and non-iodine-functionalized fused imidazoles

An I-2-mediated [3 + 2] annulation of methyl-azaarenes with alkyl 2-isocyanoacetates or amino acid ester hydrochlorides has been demonstrated. This strategy involves C equivalent to N bond cleavage of isocyanides and can selectively synthesize iodine-functionalized and non-iodine-functionalized fused imidazoles. Scaleup experiments and arylation, alkynylation, alkenylation and selenization of iodine-functionalized products demonstrated the potential applications of this reaction.

Automated summary

In this study, an I-2-mediated [3 + 2] annulation of methyl-azaarenes with alkyl 2-isocyanoacetates or amino acid ester hydrochlorides was demonstrated. This method allows for the selective synthesis of iodine-functionalized and non-iodine-functionalized fused imidazoles, with the potential for further chemical modifications of the iodine-functionalized products.