Effects of a flexible alkyl chain on a ligand for CuAAC reaction.

Imidazole derivatives substituted by a normal alkyl group are shown to be efficient as a ligand for the copper(Ι)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. An alkyl chain on the imidazole ligands shows an efficient steric effect and benefits the reaction. Such functionalities of an alkyl chain allow a rapid CuAAC reaction of even a bulky alkyne, which has been difficult to perform under conventional conditions.