Stereoselective synthesis of vinylic (Z)-vic-bis(arylchalcogenides)

Alkyne-titanium complexes 3, readily prepared in situ by the reaction of alkynes with Ti(O-i-Pr)4/2 i-PrMgCl, react with electrophilic chalcogen species under mild conditions to provide the corresponding addition products in fair to good yields. The obtained vinylic vic-bis(arylchalcogenides) 4 are useful synthetic intermediates for introducing vinyl functions into organic molecules.