Copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions in microflow: catalyst activity, high-T operation, and an integrated continuous copper scavenging unit.

AVOIDING THE COPPERS: A continuous-flow synthesis for the Cu(I) -catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction using [Cu(phenanthroline)(PPh₃)₂]NO₃ as a homogeneous catalyst is developed (up to 92 % isolated yield). Elevated temperatures allow achieving full conversions and using lower catalyst loadings. Residual copper in the triazole compound is efficiently removed via an inline extraction process, employing aqueous EDTA as a copper scavenger.