[(NHC)2Cu]X complexes as efficient catalysts for azide–alkyne click chemistry at low catalyst loadings

A catalytic system based on an [(NHC)₂Cu]X complex (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) was developed for the [3+2] cycloaddition of azides with alkynes under click conditions (see scheme). This system is broad in scope and highly efficient (turnover frequencies up to 5000 h^-1) even at very low catalyst loadings (down to 40 ppm). Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest a specific precatalyst-activation pathway.