Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from α-diazoketones and 2-aminopyridines

α-Diazoketones undergo smooth coupling with 2-aminopyridines in the presence of 10 mol % of copper(II) triflate to produce the corresponding 2-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines (IPs) in excellent yields with high selectivity. Rh2(OAc)4 is also found to be an equally effective catalyst for this transformation.