Sonogashira reactions catalyzed by a new and efficient copper(I) catalyst incorporating N-benzyl DABCO chloride

A new and effective catalytic system using [N-benzyl DABCO]+[Cu4Cl5]− was developed for the palladium-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of phenylacetylene with a variety of aryl halides. In this homogeneous catalytic system, 1-benzyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride, a quaternary ammonium salt containing a coordinating center, plays an important role and increases the efficiency of Cu(I) species during the reaction. A number of internal alkynes were produced in moderate to excellent yields, in short reaction times in DMF at 135 °C.