An efficient procedure for pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole preparation from 2-aminopyridines and cyclohexanones under metal-free conditions is described. Non-aromatic cyclohexanones were used as the aryl source via a dehydrogenation–aromatization process using molecular oxygen as the green oxidant.
![Graphical abstract: Efficient pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole formation from 2-aminopyridines and cyclohexanones under metal-free conditions](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C5GC01978H.jpg)