Pd2+ and Cu2+ catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of mercaptoacetylenes and arylboronic acids

An oxidative thiolate scavenging concept in a metal catalyzed reaction is presented and demonstrated on the aerobic Pd and Cu catalyzed cross-coupling of mercaptoacetylenes with arylboronic acids. Synthetic value of the chemistry as the complementary tool to the Sonogashira protocol has been demonstrated on a series of functionalized mercaptoacetylene substrates.