Formation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives due to the action of Fe2+ on dynamic libraries of imines
An imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative was unexpectedly obtained through the action of Fe2+ on a dynamic library of imines generated in situ via condensation of benzaldehyde and 2-picolylamine. The reaction product was easily isolated as the only nitrogen-containing product eluted from the chromatographic column. A reaction mechanism is proposed, in which combined kinetic and thermodynamic effects exerted by Fe2+ on the various steps of the complex reaction sequence are discussed.