Copper catalysis for large rings

Abstract Efficient syntheses of nitrogen-containing large rings using transition-metal catalysts are important due to the relevance of these compounds. Moreover, developing inexpensive and low-toxicity metal catalysts has become currently attractive when considering application and environmental issues. Among these metals, copper catalysis offers an alternative tool for the synthesis of a variety of nitrogen-containing large rings. During the last few years, a considerable effort has been made in developing copper-catalyzed reactions for the construction of nitrogen-containing large cyclic frameworks. This chapter provides an overview of recent achievements in copper catalysis for the preparation of aza-macrocyclic compounds through the construction of new C N bonds. This chapter is divided into three major topics based on different reaction processes: “click” reaction, C N bond coupling, and atom transfer radical cyclization.