Copper- and ligand-free Sonogashira reaction catalyzed by palladium in microemulsion: effects of surfactant and alcohol.

A rapid copper- and ligand-free Sonogashira reaction was performed in an oil-in-water microemulsion. Palladium nanoparticles can be in situ formed in the microemulsion without other reductants. The microemulsion containing in situ-formed nano-Pd is an efficient system for the Sonogashira reaction. The reactions were faster in the microemulsion than in micelles. The effects of surfactant, alcohol, and temperature are discussed. Excellent yield of the Sonogashira reaction catalyzed by 0.5 mol% palladium could be achieved at 80 degrees C within 2 min.