Cu₂O/Cs₂CO₃/DMF: An efficient catalytic system for N-arylation of imidazole with aryl halides under ligand-free conditions

ABSTRACT

A ligand-free Cu-catalyzed protocol for the Ullmann-type N-arylation of N-containing heterocycles with aryl or heteroaryl iodides and bromides has been established. A broad range of functional groups is well tolerated on both of the cross-coupling partners, producing the desired products in good to excellent yields.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Aryl halides
• C–N coupling
• Cu₂O/Cs₂CO₃/DMF
• heterocycles
• ligand-free

Additional information

Funding

We thank the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, no. 21606153) and the Ministry of Education Innovation Team (no. IRT15R46) for the financial support for this work.