Mesostructured MgO Micro‐Rods as Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Iodine‐Mediated Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]Pyridines

Abstract This study describes the synthesis of mesostructured magnesium oxide micro‐rods (MgO‐MRs) and micro‐flowers (MgO‐MFs), and explores their use as heterogeneous catalysts for the preparation of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines. Both catalysts were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and BET surface area measurements. The MgO‐MRs showed superior catalytic ability to the MgO‐MFs toward the iodine‐mediated synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines. The presence of mesopores in the MgO‐MRs enables a high surface area and thus an increased number of exposed surface‐active sites. Large surface area, plenty of surface‐active sites, structural stability, and robustness make them an effective heterogeneous catalyst. The catalysts retain their activity with minimal loss even after five consecutive cycles.