Rapid homogeneous-phase Sonogashira coupling reactions using controlled microwave heating

A microwave-enhanced, rapid and efficient homogeneous-phase version of the Sonogashira reaction is presented. It has been applied to the coupling of aryl iodides, bromides, triflates, and aryl chloride, as well as pyridine and thiophene derivatives with trimethylsilylacetylene. Excellent yields (80-95%) for substrates containing a large variety of substituents in different positions are obtained in 5-25 min.