4,7-Dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline: an excellent ligand for the Cu-catalyzed N-arylation of imidazoles.

[reaction: see text] 4,7-Dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline (L) was found to be an efficient ligand for the copper-catalyzed N-arylation of imidazole with aryl iodides and bromides under mild conditions. A variety of hindered and functionalized imidazoles and aryl halides were transformed in good to excellent yields.