CuI/PPh3‐catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes in water in the absence of palladium

The Sonogashira cross‐coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes catalyzed by a simple and inexpensive catalyst system of CuI/PPh3 in water as the sole solvent has been reported. In the presence of CuI/PPh3, with KOH used as a base, a number of aryl iodides were treated with alkynes to afford the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields.