Palladium-catalyzed denitrative Sonogashira-type cross-coupling of nitrobenzenes with terminal alkynes

Described herein is a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between nitroarenes and terminal alkynes, offering a facile method for C(sp(2))-C(sp) bond formation. The utility of this protocol has been proven by the construction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and orthogonal cross-coupling.