CuI complexes with 2,2′-biquinolyl-containing polymeric ligands as electrocatalysts for the oxidative coupling of alkynes in the presence of dioxygen

Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxidative coupling of terminal alkynes in the presence of atmospheric oxygen catalyzed by Cu I complexes with polymeric biquinolyl ligands leads to the correspond ing diynes in high yield. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions at a potential of Cu II /Cu I electroreduction (-0.55 V vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl) and is accompanied by O 2 reduction to H 2 O.