Abstract
A dicopper(I,I) complex [Cu-2(L-1) (Cl)(2)] (1), bearing a Cu2Cl2 core spanned by a naphthyridine-diimine ligand is synthesized by the treatment of CuCl with 2,7-bis(N-mesitylmethylimino)-1,8-naphthyridine (L-1). The catalytic efficacy of 1 is assessed for aerobic oxidative synthesis of imines from alcohols and amines. The title complex is found to be an excellent catalyst for a wide variety of alcohols and amines. Kinetic experiments revealed the involvement of both copper ions in the aerobic oxidation process. The general utility of naphthyridine based ligands to favour a possible bimetallic pathway for a catalytic reaction is demonstrated here. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.