Cross-coupling reaction of 2-halo1-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine offers a new synthetic route to mutagenic heterocyclic amine-PHIP and DMIP

Abstract

A modified synthetic approach to the synthesis of heterocyclic food mutagens, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PHIP) and 2-amino-1,6-dimethylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (DMIP) is reported. This route highlights an optimized palladium catalysed Buchwald cross-coupling of 2-halo-1-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine with benzophenoneimine followed by acidic hydrolysis to yield compound 7. Using finely tailored conditions, Suzuki cross-coupling reactions with highly efficient catalytic systems were performed as the final step on 8 to introduce the aryl group and methyl group on the heterocyclic core.