Copper(I) Complexes Bearing Carbenes Beyond Classical N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis and Catalytic Activity in “Click Chemistry”

Abstract

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of abnormal N‐heterocyclic carbene, cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene, and mesoionic carbene copper(I) complexes are reported. These organometallic species are obtained via a versatile and inexpensive synthetic pathway using readily available reactants, namely copper oxide and iminium salts. The catalytic activity of this series of complexes was evaluated in the [3+2] cycloaddition of alkynes with azides (CuAAC). Outstanding catalytic properties were observed for the abnormal NHC‐ and triazolylidene‐based copper(I) complexes. magnified image