PdCl2-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylacetylene iodides with arylboronic acids to diarylacetylenes

A new Suzuki-type cross-coupling reaction between 1-iodo-2-arylalkynes and arylboronic acids to afford a wide variety of functionalized diarylacetylenes in a mild reaction condition was developed. The reaction was catalyzed by a small amount of a structurally simple, commercially available, and stable PdCl2. This unique sp–sp2 carbon–carbon bond formation provides a new protocol for the synthesis of diarylacetylenes, which is a new addition to the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction.