Rh(III)-Catalyzed Multicomponent Cascade Reaction of 2-Arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with CF3-Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides via Multiple C-H Activation.

A Rh(III)-catalyzed multiple C-H activation and cascade reaction of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with CF3-imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides (TFISYs) has been developed, allowing facile assembly of a wide range of structurally diverse CF3-containing fused imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The newly developed reaction might proceed through double C-H activation, intramolecular cyclization, hydrolysis, and aldol condensation, which enables the simultaneous formation of five new chemical bonds in a one-pot reaction.