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Abstract A novel and efficient iron(III)-catalyzed regioselective C-3 sulfenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with thiols under oxygen atmosphere has been developed. The reaction proceeds in moderate to good yields with a broad range of substrates, providing a novel, efficient and green route for accessing synthetically useful C3-sulfenated imidazo-[1,2-a]pyridines. Moreover, the fluoride-containing C3-sulfenated imidazo-[1,2-a]pyridine 3ai exhibited superior anticancer activity and good safety profiles.