C-C Oxidative Coupling Reaction of Ethylene-Bridged Azoles via Double C-H Activation With the Catalyst CuX (X=I, Br)

Two novel supramolecules [(CuBr3)(L)] (1) and [(CuI3)(L)] (2) (L = 1, 10-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrodiimidazo[1,2-a:2',1'-c]pyrazine-1, 10-diium) were successfully prepared with the bis(imidazolium) salt (1, 1'-dimethyl-3,3'-ethylenediimidazolium dibromide, M2) as a positive template. Molecular structures of supramolecules 1 and 2 were confirmed by IR spectrum and X-ray single-crystal analysis. To our surprise, the organic parts in the two supramolecules have changed to form a six-membered ring via C-C coupling reaction. According to the literatures and the observations in our reactions, a possible mechanism was proposed.