Facile and Efficient Reductive Homocoupling of Benzyl and Aryl Halides Catalyzed by Ionic Liquid [C12mim][CuCl2] in the Presence of Metallic Zinc and Copper

A facile and efficient synthesis of bibenzyl and biaryl derivatives by reductive homocoupling reaction is described. Treatment of benzyl and aryl halides with metallic zinc and copper powder in the presence of a catalytic amount of [C(12)mim][CuCl2] under ligand- and base-free conditions gives the corresponding bibenzyls and biaryls in good to high yields. The product can be isolated by a simple extraction with organic solvent, and the catalytic system can be recycled or reused without any significant loss of catalytic activity.