Tetrazole-l-acetic acid as a ligand for copper-catalyzed N-arylation of imidazoles with aryl iodides under mild conditions

Tetrazole-l-acetic acid was found to serve as a superior ligand for Cul-catalyzed N-arylation of imidazoles with aryl iodides under a low catalyst loading （5 mol% of Cul）. A variety of aryl iodides could he aminated to provide the N-arylated products in good to excellent yields without the need of an inert atmosphere.