Rhodium-Catalyzed Direct Bis-cyanation of Arylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridine via Double C–H Activation

An efficient Cp*Rh(III)-catalyzed selective bis-cyanation of arylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridines with N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-methylbenzenesulfonamide via N-directed ortho double C-H activation has been developed. The reaction proceeds with broad functional group tolerance to furnish various cyanated imidazopyridines in high yields. The current methodology exhibits unique characteristics, including high bis-cyanation selectivity, operational convenience, and gram-scale production.