We
herein disclose a novel palladium-catalyzed 1,2-alkynylarylation
of vinyl arenes using haloalkynes and arylboronic acids as coupling
partners. This reaction is characterized by broad substrate scope,
controllable reaction sequence, and excellent chemo- and regioselectivities.
Mechanistic investigations suggest that the reaction is initiated
by regioselective insertion of vinyl arenes into the alkynyl-Pd(II)
species, and the silver salt is crucial for this transformation, serving
as both the Lewis acid and halide scavenger. This protocol provides
efficient access to new carbon skeletons, which are embedded in the
key biologically active motifs