Rink resin was converted to isonitrile resin after formylation with HCO2H/diisopropylcarbodiimide followed by POCl3/diisopropylethylamine dehydration. This polymer-supported isonitrile was then employed in the multi-component synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. The resin-bound imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine was acylated and spontaneously released by acyl chloride treatment in dichloroethane. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.