Herein,
we disclose an unprecedented protocol via ruthenium-catalyzed
annulation for the synthesis of 6H-chromeno[4′,3′:4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-one, and functionalized 2-(3-formylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)phenyl acetate has been revealed by intramolecular
chelation-assisted C–H activation. Additionally, a one-pot
approach for creating bis(2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)methane
(BIP) has been realized through ruthenium catalysis with the use of
formic acid. This method was used in gram-scale synthesis of BIP and
step-economical late-stage functionalization of a marketed drug, zolimidine,
in good yield.