Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Coupling of Alkynyl Carboxylic Acids with Benzyl Halides or Aryl Halides

Abstract

The synthesis of internal benzyl alkynes and 1,2-diarylalkynes has been developed via palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reactions of alkynyl carboxylic acids with benzyl chlorides or aryl halides. In the presence of Pd(OAc)(2) and Xphos (L3), alkynyl carboxylic acids smoothly underwent the reaction with various benzyl halides, providing the corresponding benzyl alkynes in moderate to good yields. It is noteworthy that the optimal conditions are compatible with a wide range of aryl halides including less active aryl chlorides.