Palladium-catalyzed addition of diaryl disulfides and diselenides to terminal alkynes in room temperature ionic liquids

Palladium-catalyzed addition reactions of diaryl disulfides and diselenides to terminal alkynes can proceed smoothly in room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoliumhexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]), to afford the corresponding (Z)-1,2-bis(arylthio)-1-alkenes or (Z)-1,2-bis(arylseleno)-1-alkenes in excellent yields. Our system not only avoids the use of highly toxic benzene or toluene as a solvent but also solves the basic problem of palladium catalyst reuse.