Microwave-assisted, Copper-free Sonogashira Coupling Between Aryl Halides and Terminal Alkynes Using Recyclable Ionic Liquid and Catalyst

: An efficient method for the Sonogashira coupling reaction between aryl halides and terminal alkynes has been developed. The reaction was performed in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]) under microwave irradiation. High yields of products were obtained in a very short reaction time. Moreover, the medium and catalyst could be recovered and reused three times without considerable decrease in reaction yields.