Highly stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-1,2-dihaloalkenes by a Pd-catalyzed hydrohalogenation of alkynyl halides

An unprecedented Pd-catalyzed hydrohalogenation of alkynyl halides for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-1,2-dihaloalkenes has been realized using [(allyl)PdCl](2) as the catalyst and cis, cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene as the ligand. The advantages of this protocol are well illustrated by the assembly of trisubstituted (Z)-enynes and multifunctional benzenes via iterative cross-coupling reactions or tandem Diels-Alder-aromatization reactions, respectively.