An improved Ullmann–Ukita–Buchwald–Li conditions for CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of 2-pyridones with aryl halides

An effective CuI-trans-N,N′-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine (DMCDA)-K2CO3-catalyzed coupling reaction of 2-pyridones with aryl halides is described. Under our conditions, DMCDA was found to be an effective catalyst that facilitates the coupling reactions even in toluene, a common industrial solvent. In addition, 3-bromopyridine could also be coupled effectively under these conditions, indicating that the catalytic reactivity of this system is high. The reaction could be applied for polymer modification and iterative oligo-pyridone synthesis.