Preparation of ruthenium azido complex containing a Tp ligand and ruthenium-catalyzed cycloaddition of organic azides with alkynes in organic and aqueous media: Experimental and computational studies

•We reported new method for synthesis of ruthenium azido complex.•Ruthenium azido complex catalyzes click reactions of some terminal alkynes HCCR and alkyl azide in organic and aqueous medium.•Their structures are elucidated by IR, NMR and X-ray crystallography.•Theoretical calculations support the proposed mechanism.

The catalytic activity of a series of ruthenium azido complexes containing Tp ligands has been evaluated for the cycloaddition of terminal alkynes and azides to give selectively 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. The complex Tp(PPh3)(EtNH2)RuN3 (2, Tp = HB(pz)3, pz = pyrazolyl) was found to be an effective catalyst for the cycloaddition reactions. In the presence of complex 2, azides reacted with a range of terminal alkynes containing various functionalities to selectively produce 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. Theoretical calculations support the proposed mechanism.

Graphical abstractIn the presence of complex Tp(PPh3)(EtNH2)RuN3 (2), azides reacted with a range of terminal alkynes containing various functionalities to selectively produce 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. Theoretical calculations support the proposed mechanism.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide