CuI-catalyzed homocoupling of terminal alkynes to 1,3-diynes

A simple and efficient protocol for CuI-catalyzed oxidative homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes to symmetrical 1,4-disubstituted 1,3-diynes was reported. The reaction can be carried out in the open air, using NaOAc as a base in the absence of any other additives. A variety of terminal alkynes were converted to the corresponding 1.3-diynes in good to excellent yields without any side product formation. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.