Two-dimensional copper-based metal–organic framework as a robust heterogeneous catalyst for the N-arylation of imidazole with arylboronic acids

N-arylation of imidazole was accomplished with a two-dimensional (2D) [Cu(ima)2]n metal–organic framework in methanol at room temperature. A variety of N-arylimidazoles were isolated in good yields after a short reaction time. Moreover, the robust MOF may be readily recovered after the reaction and reused for many cycles without loss of catalytic activity.