The first Cu- and amine-free Sonogashira-type cross-coupling in the C-6-alkynylation of protected 2'-deoxyadenosine

The Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction offers a convenient route to C(sp)–C(sp2) bond formation. Although the Sonogashira reaction has traditionally been carried out in the presence of Pd catalyst and a co-catalyst of Cu(I) salt, the use of Cu(I) salt is often not efficient because it leads to the formation of unwanted side-products. This has prompted interest in recent years in the development of Cu-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction conditions. In addition, the development of Cu-free Sonogashira cross-coupling conditions for the alkynylation of nucleoside derivatives remains largely unexplored. Herein, we demonstrate that Cu- and amine-free Sonogashira-type cross-coupling lead to successful alkynylation of aryl bromides and heteroaryl bromides. For the first time, we have extended this method for the alkynylation of protected 2′-deoxyadenosine at the C-6 position.