The development of a Cu(I)/pyrazolylpyridineamine catalyst system for the hydroxylation of aryl halides

Abstract

A catalyst system comprising of pyrazolylpyridineamine/Cu(I)/CsOH is reported. for the hydroxylation of aryl iodides and bromides with moderate to outstanding yields, without the use of an inert atmosphere. A comprehensive parameter optimisation study established optimum component concentrations: [Cu(MeCN)4]BF4 and 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)ethan-1-amine (L01) (2 mol %), substrate (1 mmol), CsOH (4 mmol) and DMSO:H2O (1:1, 3 mL). Monitoring substrate conversion as a function of time revealed an induction period of 90 min, which could be eliminated through the initial in situ formation of the proposed [(L01)Cu-OH] intermediate. Eliminating the induction period resulted in complete conversion within one hour, with turnover numbers exceeding that of the benchmark catalyst system operating at an optimal catalyst loading of 0.05 mol %