Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira cross-coupling for the synthesis of alkynones with formic acid as the CO source

Abstract

A practical and efficient palladium-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction for the synthesis of alkynones from aryl iodides, alkynes, and formic acid as the CO source has been described. Under the assistance of PPh3/I2, formic acid can be used as the CO source for synthesis of alkynones in moderate–good yields. Furthermore, it is also successfully applied for the modification of natural products, such as vindoline and tabersonin, to obtain the corresponding products.