Rh(III)-CatalyzedMulticomponent Cascade Reactionof 2-Arylimidazo[1,2- <i>a</i> ]pyridines withCF3-Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides via Multiple C–HActivation

Abstract A Rh(III)-catalyzed multiple C–H activation and cascade reaction of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with CF3-imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides (TFISYs) has been developed, allowing facile assembly of a wide range of structurally diverse CF3-containing fused imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The newly developed reaction might proceed through double C–H activation, intramolecular cyclization, hydrolysis, and aldol condensation, which enables the simultaneous formation of five new chemical bonds in a one-pot reaction.