Synthesis and properties of cyanomethyl derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine, and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole

2-Cyanomethyl derivatives were obtained of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine, and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, and their reactivity was investigated by an example of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine: It was subjected to nitration, bromination, azo coupling and nitrosation. Acylation of the methylene group effected by amino acids esters with a subsequent addition of the amino group to the cyano group resulted in the formation of 5-amino-4-imidazo[1,2-a]-pyridin-2-yl-1-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrol-3-one and 2-amino-1-ethyl-3-imidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl-4(1H)-quinolinone.