Development of novel efficient 2D nanocomposite catalyst towards the three-component coupling reaction for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a] pyridines

Two dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and functionalized hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) supported copper catalysts (CuO/rGO, CuO/h-BN, Cu(0)/rGO, Cu(0)/h-BN, CuS/rGO and CuS/h-BN) were prepared, characterized and evaluated their catalytic activity for the synthesis of imidazo [1,2-a]pyridines via one pot three component reaction between 2-aminopyridine, aldehyde and terminal alkynes. The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines are an imperative class of nitrogen ring containing heterocyclic compounds which has wide range of applications in medicinal chemistry and drug molecule production. The reported synthetic protocol provides a rapid access to substituted imidazo [1,2-.a] pyridines with excellent yields. CuO/rGO nanocomposite material was found to be highly active catalyst for the aforementioned reaction. The advantages of our protocol for the preparation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines over other previously reported includes shorter reaction times, functional group tolerance, recyclable catalyst and additive-free.