A one-pot synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines

A one-pot synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines starting from a carboxylic acid and 2-methylaminopyridines allowing introduction of various substituents at the 1- and 3-positions is achieved using propane phosphoric acid anhydride in ethyl or n-butyl acetate at reflux.