Isonitrile alkylations: a rapid route to imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines

Metalated arylmethylisonitriles readily add to 2-chloropyridines to afford imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines. Analogous additions to imidoyl chlorides and a chloroquinoline provide imidazoles and an imidazo[1,5-a]quinolone which, like imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines, are valuable heterocycles for pharmaceutical synthesis.