Iron/copper-catalyzed C-C cross-coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes

Synergic effect of iron and copper salts as catalysts for the Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-couplings of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes is demonstrated. High yields of cross-coupled products are obtained under conditions that are smoother than those using only CuI as catalyst. Furthermore no expensive or/and toxic ligand is required.

Fe(acac)3 accelerates the CuI-promoted Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes, without requiring special ligands, in N-methylpyrrolidone as solvent.