Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Butatrienes

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized butatrienes was achieved starting from 2-bromo-1-buten-3-yne derivatives and nucleophiles. The reaction proceeded under very mild conditions giving the products in moderate to good yields. The reactivity of the bromobutenyne substrates was highly dependent on substituents at 1-position. A subtle balance of nucleophilicity and basicity in the nucleophiles was also important for the success of the reactions.