Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Amination of sp3 C–H Bonds under Air: Synthesis of 1,3-Diarylated Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines

A copper(II)-catalyzed tandem reaction between pyridine ketone and benzylamine was developed by using clean O2 as an oxidant. This transformation proceeded via an efficient condensation–amination–oxidative dehydrogenation process, affording 1,3-diarylated imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines in excellent yields.