Highly regioselective CH bond functionalization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with aryl halides catalyzed by Ru-arene complex

► An effective Ru-catalyzed arylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was developed. ► The arylation exhibits high regioselectivity for imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. ► All reactions gave the desired products in moderate to good yields.