2,5-Bis-(butyltelluro) thiophene as a convenient precursor for the synthesis of 2,5-bis-(acetylenic) thiophenes

Both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted 2,5-bis-(acetylenic) thiophene derivatives were obtained in good yields under mild conditions through palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reaction of 2,5-bis-(butyltelluro) thiophene 2 and terminal alkynes. The methodology represents a general and efficient protocol for carrying out the synthesis of thiophene derivatives with potential biological activities.