Phase transfer agent assisted biphasic CuAAC reaction

Abstract

A phase transfer agent assisted biphasic Cu(I) catalyzed azide–alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction system was developed. A biphasic reaction medium consisting of water and an organic solvent ensures the dissolution of reagents and substrates. Tris(triazolylmethyl)amine ligands with an appropriate hydrophilic–lipophilic balance are able to extract copper from the aqueous phase to the organic phase, accelerating the CuAAC reaction rate. The present system is widely applicable to substrates with various functionalities, including a free amino group and especially to lipophilic substrates.