Efficient access to pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines through Knoevenagel reaction/aza–ene addition/intramolecular cyclization

An expeditious metal-free heteroannulation reaction for pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines/imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was developed in green solvent under mild reaction conditions by using three-component reaction of 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde, malononitrile and nitroketen aminals, which obtained from the reaction between 1,1-bis(methylthio)-2-nitroethylene and diamines in green solvent under EtOH reflux conditions. This one-pot strategy is very simple and occurs in two steps. The present sequence is visualized as an environmentally benign process with excellent purity and high yields. An efficient, useful and general procedure for the synthesis of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines/imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via a one-pot three-component reaction of 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde, malononitrile/ethyl 2-cyanoacetate and nitroketen aminals under mild and catalyst-free conditions in excellent yields is described. The major advantages of this protocol are high yields, mild and catalyst-free conditions, short reaction times and application of green solvent.