Microwave enhanced Suzuki coupling: a diversity-oriented approach to the synthesis of highly functionalised 3-substituted-2-aryl/heteroaryl imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines

A modified approach for the synthesis of 3-substituted 2-aryl/heteroaryl imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines utilising palladium catalysed cross-coupling reactions under microwave enhanced conditions has been achieved. utilisation of (A-taphos)2PdCl2-catalysed cross-coupling reactions enables rapid derivatization of this (imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines) pharmaceutically relevant core. This catalytic system is compatible with a broad spectrum of arylboronic acids—electron rich, electron poor, and heteroarylboronic acids.