Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed arylmethylation of terminal alkynes with benzylic alcohols under ligand-, base-, and additive-free reaction conditions

An effective, convenient, and mild coupling reaction of benzylic alcohols with terminal alkynes has been developed. As an effective Lewis acid, Cu(OTF)(2)-catalyzed arylmethylation of terminal alkynes with benzylic alcohols generated the corresponding products in BrCH2CH2Br with good yields in the absence of ligand, base, and additive. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.