Convenient copper- and solvent-free Sonogashira-type alkynylation of aryl iodides and bromides using Pd EnCat™

A straightforward methodology is described for the copper- and solvent-free alkynylations of aryl iodides and bromides using 0.1–0.01 mol % of Pd as Pd EnCat™ 40 or TPP30. High yielding reactions can be achieved under aerobic conditions for a variety of activated and deactivated aryl iodides; a few examples with aryl bromides are also described. Microwave irradiation is able to enhance yields and rates of these reactions.