Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of benzyl chlorides with terminal alkynes to give 1,4-diaryl-3-butyn-2-ones and related furanones

A general palladium-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira coupling of benzyl chlorides with terminal acetylenes has been established. Depending on the alkyne 1,4-diaryl-3-butyn-2-ones or substituted furanones are obtained in moderate to good yields. Best catalytic performance is achieved applying a mixed Pd(PPh3)Cl-2/P(OPh)(3) catalyst system.