Copper (I) complex of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline: Synthesis, structure, and catalytic properties

Abstract

A copper (I) complex containing 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmph), [Cu(dmph)2]Cl·6H2O, was prepared by reaction of CuCl2·2H2O and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline in an aqueous solution at pH = 11 and characterized using elemental analysis, IR, EDX and X-ray crystallography. The complex consists of a mononuclear copper (I) surrounded by four coordinating nitrogen atoms of two dmph ligands, one Cl− anion and six H2O molecules. This novel cupper (I) complex was used as a catalyst for alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction to produce several 1,2,3-triazoles in high yields. The presented catalytic system fulfils the requirements of “click chemistry” with its soft and appropriate conditions, notably in water as solvent with low catalyst amount without any co-catalyst or activator.