A dicopper(i)-dimesoionic carbene complex as a click catalyst: mechanistic implications

A dicopper(i) complex comprising a dimesoionic carbene and an acetate-bridge is synthesized and fully characterized. This complex is a potent pre-catalyst for the azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. A full kinetic investigation shows a first order in azide and a catalyst order smaller than one due to an equilibrated dimerization of the catalyst.