Ligand-, copper-, and amine-free Sonogashira reaction of aryl iodides and bromides with terminal alkynes

Conditions for an efficient ligand-, copper-, and amine-free palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira reaction of aryl iodides and bromides with terminal alkynes have been developed. Critical to the success of this new protocol is the use of tetrabutylammonium acetate as the base. Noteworthy features of this method are room-temperature conditions and the tolerance of a broad range of functional groups in both reaction partners.