A series of 2-substituted 3-acylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were synthesiz
ed in good to moderate yields from secondary amidino ketones and bromi
ne in acetic acid. Cyclocondensation of the alpha-bromo-beta-amidino k
etones (6) led to the corresponding trans-dihydroimidazoles (13), whic
h may yield spontaneously the stable 3-acylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines (2)
after dehydrogenation.