The C3-azolylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was developed via a visible light-mediated reaction of imidazopyridines with 2-bromoazoles catalyzed by Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)PF6 under mild conditions. For the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with various substituents on benzene or the pyridine ring and a variety of azoles, the reaction proceeded smoothly to give 3-(azol-2-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in moderate to good yields.
![Graphical abstract: Visible-light-mediated C3-azolylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with 2-bromoazoles](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C7OB00883J.jpg)