“…Initially, the Ugi four-component reaction (4-CR) [16] of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde (1a), p-methoxybenzylamine (2a), propiolic acid (3a), and cyclohexyl isocyanide (4a) in methanol at room temperature generated adduct 5a in 84 % yield, which was selected to optimize the reaction conditions of the next step. In continuation of our previous success with gold and silver catalysis for the activation of alkynes, [14] we began our studies by screening these catalysts in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) at 120°C for 12 h (Table 1, entries 1-3). However, none of the catalysts was able to complete the reaction.…”