The versatile, one-step synthesis of imidazo [1, 5-a] pyridines by the reaction of pyridine-2- carbonitriles with DMF under Vilsmeier conditions is described. This reaction was applied to the syntheses of imidazo [1, 5-a] quinolines from quinoline-2-carbonitriles, and of imidazo [5, 1-a] isoquinolines from isoquinoline-1-carbonitriles.
