A Mild, Highly Efficient Addition of Alkynes to Aldehydes Catalyzed by Titanium Dioxide-Supported Silver Nanoparticles

Titanium dioxide-supported silver nanoparticles were utilized as a highly efficient catalyst for the addition of terminal alkynes to aldehydes to prepare propargylic alcohols with the promotion by triphenylphosphine. Both a significant support effect and a ligand effect were observed in the catalytic reaction. With this protocol, various propargylic alcohol derivatives were synthesized from aldehydes and terminal alkynes in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalyst could be recovered and reused effectively without obvious reduction in catalytic activity.