The copper(I) catalyzed azide–alkyne [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction and its uncatalyzed version have been studied for systematic understanding of this relevant organic transformation, using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) (LANL2DZ for Cu) computational levels. In the absence of a copper(I) catalyst, two regioisomeric reaction paths were studied, indicating that the 32CA reaction takes place through an asynchronous one-step mechanism with a very low polar character. The two reactive channels leading to 1,4- and 1,5-regisomer present similar high activation energies of 18.84 and 18.51 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. The coordination of copper(I) to alkyne produces relevant changes in this 32CA reaction. Analysis of the global and local electrophilicity/nucleophilicity allows explaining correctly the behaviors of the copper(I) catalyzed cycloaddition. Coordination of the copper to alkyne changes the mechanism from a non-polar one-step mechanism to a polar stepwise one, as a consequence of the high nucleophilic character of the dinuclear Cu(I)-acetylide complex. Parr and Fukui functions and Dual Descriptor correctly explain the observed regioselectivity by means of the most favorable two-center interaction that takes place along the 1,4 reaction path.

The copper(I)-catalyzed azide−alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction is considered to be the most representative ligation process within the context of the “click chemistry” concept. This CuAAC reaction, which yields compounds containing a 1,2,3-triazole core, has become relevant in the construction of biologically complex systems, bioconjugation strategies, and supramolecular and material sciences. Although many CuAAC reactions are performed under homogenous conditions, heterogenous copper-based catalytic systems are gaining exponential interest, relying on the easy removal, recovery, and reusability of catalytically copper species. The present review covers the most recently developed copper-containing heterogenous solid catalytic systems that use solid inorganic/organic hybrid supports, and which have been used in promoting CuAAC reactions. Due to the demand for 1,2,3-triazoles as non-classical bioisosteres and as framework-based drugs, the CuAAC reaction promoted by solid heterogenous catalysts has greatly improved the recovery and removal of copper species, usually by simple filtration. In so doing, the solving of the toxicity issue regarding copper particles in compounds of biological interest has been achieved. This protocol is also expected to produce a practical chemical process for accessing such compounds on an industrial scale.