Copper(I)-2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole catalyzed N-arylation of indoles

CuI-2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole catalyst system can serve efficiently to promote N-arylation of various indoles to afford the N-arylated indoles. The bidentate ligand, 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole was proved superior to monodentate nitrogen-based ligands and well-known bidentate ligands such as 2,2′-bipyridyl and 1,10-phenanthroline.