Click. Coordinate. Catalyze. Using CuAAC Click Ligands in Small‐Molecule Model Chemistry of Tyrosinase

Abstract Three triazolylmethylpyridine ligands are synthesized using the copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The corresponding copper(I) complexes are investigated as catalysts for the oxygenation of several monophenols, in analogy to the enzyme tyrosinase. Importantly, they show a higher catalytic activity than previously investigated systems. This is ascribed to the lower charge donation of the electron‐poor triazole heterocycle, supporting the hydroxylation of phenolic substrates by an electrophilic substitution mechanism.