(Diacetoxy)iodobenzene-Mediated Regioselective Imidation of Imidazoheterocycles with N‑Fluorobenzenesulfonimide

Metal-free (diacetoxy)­iodobenzene-mediated regioselective imidation of imidazoheterocycles using commercially available N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide as an imidating reagent has been developed. This protocol exhibits broad substrate scope with good to excellent yields of the imidated imidazopyridines under mild conditions in short reaction times. The present protocol also represents an efficient way to access the imidated derivatives of imidazo­[2,1-b]­thiazole, benzo­[d]­imidazo-[2,1-b]­thiazole, indoles, and indolizines. A radical mechanistic pathway has been proposed for the present protocol.