Dual role of p-tosylchloride: copper-catalyzed sulfenylation and metal free methylthiolation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Copper-catalyzed regioselective C-3 sulfenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using p-tosylchloride as a benign source of sulfenylating agents has been developed. On the other hand, p-tosylchloride mediated thiomethylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with dimethylsulfoxide as a source of thiomethylation under metal-free conditions was also described.