Bio-inspired copper catalysts for the formation of diaryl ethers

Aryl bromides and phenols are coupled efficiently to the corresponding diaryl ethers in the presence of a practical Cu(I)/1-butylimidazole catalyst system. The convenient protocol is applied successfully to the synthesis of 16 different diaryl ethers in high yield and selectivity.

A novel Cu(I)/1-alkylimidazole catalyst system and its application in the C-O coupling reaction of aryl bromides with substituted phenols is described.