Fe powder catalyzed highly efficient synthesis of alkenyl halides via direct coupling of alcohols and alkynes with aqueous HX as exogenous halide sources

A simple and efficient catalytic method for the synthesis of alkenyl halides via direct coupling of alcohols and alkynes using aqueous HX (X=Cl, Br) as halide sources has been developed under mild conditions in the presence of Fe powder (1 mol %). In comparison with the high loading of FeX3 in previously reported protocols, the present approach provides a remarkable attractive methodology to a diverse range of alkenyl halides due to the advantages of simple operation and low-level metal contamination. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved