A one-pot synthesis of bisarylhydrazones by Cu(I)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation

An efficient Cu(I)-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of N-substituted (or NH) bisarylhydrazones is reported. A further cyclization reaction could occur towards the synthesis of benzimidazoles or triazoles with elevated temperature. A plausible alkylation–oxidation–alkylation mechanism is proposed based on experimental results and literature.