A strictly "pair"-selective synthesis of conjugated diynes via Pd-catalyzed cross coupling of 1,3-diynylzincs: a superior alternative to the Cadiot-Chodkiewicz reaction.

A strictly "pair"-selective synthesis of conjugated diynes via Pd-catalyzed cross coupling of 1,3-diynylzincs is described. This method, like the Cadiot-Chodkiewicz reaction, requires three steps for the synthesis of R(1)Ctbd1;CCtbd1;CR(2) from R(1)Ctbd1;CH, R(2)X, and HCtbd1;CH. However, the high "pair"-selectivity permitting high-yield production of the desired conjugated diynes without separation of symmetrical diynes promises to make the present protocol superior to the Cadiot-Chodkiewicz reaction in many cases.