Palladium(II)–copper(I) mediated homotrimerization and homotetramerization of terminal alkynes

Alkyne homocoupling is commonly observed in cross coupling reactions; however, self trimerization and homotetramerization of alkynes to form branched products through cross-coupling reactions are rarely reported. We describe herein homotrimerization and homotetramerization of terminal alkynes under the Sonogashira reaction conditions that gave the corresponding modified enediynes. Substrate scope for this reaction was explored.