Alkynylation of N-tosylimines with aryl acetylenes promoted by ZnBr2 and N,N-diisopropylethylamine in acetonitrile

We found a suitable condition for the effective alkynylation of N-tosylimines with aryl acetylenes. The reaction of N-tosylimines and aryl acetylenes in the presence of ZnBr2 and DIEA (N,N-diisopropylethylamine) in CH3CN afforded the desired N-tosyl propargylamines in moderate to good yields.