CuI/PPh3 catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes in water in the absence of palladium

The Sonogashira cross-coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes catalyzed by a simple and inexpensive catalyst CuI/PPh3 in water as the sole solvent has been reported. In the presence of CuI/PPh3, with KOH used as a base, a number of aryl iodides were treated with alkynes to afford the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.