Search for: All records

Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC) produce 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, molecules that have many applications in pharmaceuticals. Click reactions are atom-efficient and produce 1,4-disubstituted triazoles selectively with high yields at room temperature. Byproducts are rarely observed, and the product is easily separated by washing, eliminating the need for purification measures such as column chromatography. We tested various copper complexes for ease of use as homogeneous catalysts at various conditions. The 1,4-disubstituted triazole products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. The progress of reaction was determined using TLC and IR spectroscopy, and products were characterized by GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. We found that there is little that changes the outcome of the reaction upon variations in solvent and temperature conditions. However, preliminary results show that the anion of the copper salt used in preparing the copper complexes affects the kinetics of the triazole formation. A significant finding was that copper(II)-catalyzed reactions appear to form product even in the absence of a reducing agent.