A DBU–diheteroaryl halide adduct as the fastest current N-diheteroarylating agent

An unexpected diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) catalysed rate enhancement of N-arylation of amines with diheteroaryl halides is reported. DBU is found to activate the Ar–Cl bond of a diheteroaryl halide, forming a green coloured adduct under neat conditions. The activated green coloured adduct was used for the arylation of amines under neat conditions and was found to be the fastest diheteroarylating agent reported to date.