Zinc Chloride‐Promoted Coupling Reaction between Calcium Carbide and Aryl Chlorides

Abstract The direct synthesis of diarylethynes from less‐reactive aryl chlorides and calcium carbide was accomplished by palladium catalysis. The coupling reaction is provided with broad substrate scope, the use of ZnCl 2 as cocatalyst, and the use of safe, inexpensive and easy to handle acetylene source, and provided the desired 1,2‐Bis(9‐anthryl)acetylene, even when being highly sterically hindered.