A Facile and Efficient Synthesis of bis(Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)methane and Vinyl Derivatives

An efficient synthetic route for the novel bis-imdizo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-yl)methane (2a-k) derivatives have been developed using acetic acid and two drops of trifluoroacetic acid at 40-45oC, resulting in 60-72% yields. An attempt to synthesize bis(Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)methyl chloride derivatives by the reaction between two moles of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, one mole of chloroacetaldehyde in acetic acid, and two drops of trifluoroacetic acid was not successful, instead underwent dehydrohalogenation to yield vinyl derivatives (4a-d).