Oxidative Esterification via Cleavage of C(sp ² )-N Bond of Imidazo[1,2- <i>a</i> ]pyridine: Access to the α-Ketoester and Late-Stage Modification

α-Ketoesters are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of bioactive molecules, drug development, and materials science. This streamlined study effectively showcases the selective cleavage of the C(sp²)-N bond in imidazo[1,2-<i>a</i>]pyridines to produce α-ketoesters through oxidative esterification, using primary, secondary, tertiary, strained, aromatic, and unsaturated alcohols as partners and oxygen sources. The deoxygenative coupling of acids, alcohols, and amines and the construction of bioactive scaffolds demonstrate the role of α-ketoesters as a dicarbonyl equivalent.