Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed arylmethylation of terminal alkynes with benzylic alcohols under ligand-, base-, and additive-free reaction conditions

An effective, convenient, and mild coupling reaction of benzylic alcohols with terminal alkynes has been developed. As an effective Lewis acid, Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed arylmethylation of terminal alkynes with benzylic alcohols generated the corresponding products in BrCH2CH2Br with good yields in the absence of ligand, base, and additive.