Macrocyclic tetranuclear copper (I) complex bearing a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand: Synthesis, structure, and catalytic properties

► A novel macrocyclic tetranuclear copper (I) carbene complex was synthesized. ► Intramolecular Cu…Cu interactions are found to exist in this tetranuclear molecule. ► The complex shows high catalytic activity in the CuAAC reaction.