Tris-(2-aminoethyl) amine as a novel and efficient tripod ligand for a copper(I)-catalyzed C–O coupling reaction

We have introduced a novel, efficient, commercially available and economically attractive N-donor tripod ligand, tris-(2-aminoethyl)amine for copper-catalyzed Ullmann diaryl ether synthesis. This catalyst system is highly active for both aryl iodides and aryl bromides. Variously substituted diaryl ethers have been synthesized in good to excellent yields.