Silver-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkynylation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids in Aqueous Solution

C(sp(3))-C(sp) bond formations are of immense interest in chemistry and material sciences. We report herein a convenient, radical-mediated and catalytic method for C(sp(3))-C(sp) cross-coupling. Thus, with AgNO(3) as the catalyst and K(2)S(2)O(8) as the oxidant, various aliphatic carboxylic acids underwent decarboxylative alkynylation with commercially available ethynylbenziodoxolones in aqueous solution under mild conditions. This site-specific alkynylation is not only general and efficient but also functional group compatible. In addition, it exhibits remarkable chemo- and stereoselectivity.