Metal-free C-3 selective C(sp)-C(sp) heteroarylation of anilines with imidazo[1,2-]pyridine derivatives cross-dehydrogenative coupling.

A general and straightforward method for the regioselective construction of C-3 heteroaryl-containing imidazo[1,2-]pyridines cross-dehydrogenative coupling under transition-metal-free conditions has been reported, utilizing ,-dimethylaniline as the methylenation source and furnishing the C(sp)-C(sp) functionalized products in good to excellent yields. Mechanism studies indicate that a radical pathway is responsible for this transformation.