Mg Electrodes Coiled with Cu Wires Promoted Formation of Diphenylacetylene from Tetrachloroethylene and Bromobenzene: One-step Electrochemical Synthesis without Pd Catalyst

It was found that diphenylacetylene was synthesized by using electrochemical reduction with Mg electrodes, coiled with Cu wires. The electrochemical reaction of tetrachloroethylene and bromobenzene in LiClO4/THF afforded diphenylacetylene in up to 38 % yield. The reaction took place in the absence of Pd catalyst. The scope and limitations, and investigation of reaction mechanism were also studied.