Friedel–Crafts alkenylation of arenes using alkynes catalysed by metal trifluoromethanesulfonates

Abstract

Metal trifluoromethanesulfonates [M(OTf)n; M = Sc, Zr, In] catalyse the Friedel–Crafts alkenylation of arenes using alkynes, including internal alkynes, to give, through an alkenyl cation intermediate, 1,1-diarylalkenes in high to excellent yields.