Tandem Sonogashira coupling: an efficient tool for the synthesis of diarylalkynes.

[reaction: see text] The tandem Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl halides provides an efficient method for the synthesis of diarylalkynes. Several aryl halides were coupled with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol as acetylene source in the presence of PdCl2(PPh3)2 and CuI. Following the deprotection of the acetylene moiety in the same pot using a strong base, the Sonogashira coupling of a second aryl halide led to the formation of the appropriate diarylakyne. The established protocoll was successfully extended to the preparation of compound libraries.