The first example of alkynylation of propargylic alcohols with alkynylsilanes catalyzed by molecular iodine

Aryl propargyl alcohols undergo smooth alkynylation with alkynylsilanes in the presence of 10 mol % of iodine under mild and neutral conditions to produce 1,4-diynes in excellent yields with high selectivity. The use of readily available molecular iodine makes this method simple, convenient, cost-effective and practical.