DBU-Promoted Cu(OAc)•H₂O-Catalysed Coupling Reactions of Aryl Iodides and Sodium Azide

An efficient and simple protocol for the synthesis of aryl azides by the coupling of aryl iodides with sodium azide, in good to excellent yields in DMSO at 95 °C under catalysis by Cu(OAc)2-H2O and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), has been established. The optimised loadings of Cu(OAc)2-H2O and DBU were 10 mol% and 15 mol% respectively.