Preparation of 2‐aryl and 2‐aryloxymethyl imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines and related compounds

A series of substituted 2-aryl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been prepared in which a variety of substituents are introduced on the 4′-position of the phenyl ring and on the 3, 5, 6 or 7 position of the heterocyclic ring. Most examples have acetamido, bromo, cyano, or formyl substituents at the 4′-position. Analogous imidazo-[2,1-b]fhiazoles and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines have also been prepared. Another series of compounds consisting of 4′-formylphenoxymethyl derivatives of imidazole, the three positional isomers of pyridine, thiazole, benzimidazole and ring-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been prepared. 2-(4′-Formylphenylethenyl) derivatives of imidazole and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine were also prepared.