Palladium catalyzed alkynylation of aryl halides (Sonogashira reaction) in water

The palladium catalyzed alkynylation of aryl halides (Sonogashira reaction) has been achieved in pure water without any additives or phase transfer catalysts. The reaction, which requires only 0.5 mol% of Pd(PPh3)(4) catalyst, is remarkably fast (30 min at 70degreesC) producing high yields of the aryl alkyne products. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.