Bis(μ-iodo)bis((−)-sparteine)dicopper(I): versatile catalyst for direct N-arylation of diverse nitrogen heterocycles with haloarenes

The easy-to-prepare dimeric bis(μ-iodo)bis((−)-sparteine)dicopper(I) complex is shown to be a versatile catalyst for N-arylation of number of NH–heterocycles with structurally divergent aryl halides including activated aryl chloride substrates under mild conditions. The DFT studies not only provide structural insights into square-pyramidal Cu(III) intermediate complexes derived from (−)-sparteine, but also highlight the important role of sterically demanding (−)-sparteine ligand framework in promoting activation of aryl–chlorine bonds for N-arylation of imidazoles.