Dinuclear Copper(I) Complexes as Precatalysts in Ullmann and Goldberg Coupling Reactions

The use of structurally well-characterized copper(I) species as precatalysts in C−N and C−S bond forming reactions is described. Two new dinuclear Cu(I) complexes containing two isomeric ligands of bis(7-azaindolyl)methane have been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR and X-ray diffraction studies. Both copper(I) species exhibit a 1:1 Cu/L ratio and have been used as precatalysts in the N-arylation of 2-pyrrolidinone and S-arylation of thiols with aryl iodides. The complexes efficiently catalyze these cross-coupling reactions, affording high yields of products under mild conditions.