Halogen Bond-Activated Visible-Light-Mediated Regioselective C–H Arylation of 2‑Phenylimidazo-[1,2‑a]pyridines

An efficient method for transition metal-free halogen bond-assisted regioselective C–H arylation of 2-phenylimidazo-[1,2-a]­pyridines under visible-light condition has been developed. The halogen bond between an aryl halide and base KO t Bu initiates an electron transfer process and generates an aryl radical, which catalyzes its coupling with 2-phenylimidazo-[1,2-a]­pyridines to give arylated products in good yield. Several control experiments, density functional theory calculations, and ultraviolet–visible analysis indicate the presence of a halogen bond between an aryl halide and KO t Bu. This methodology has been successfully utilized to synthesize antileishmanial agents.