Terminal alkynes from aldehydes via dehydrohalogenation of (Z)-1-iodo-1-alkenes with TBAF

Terminal alkynes were prepared in near quantitative yields via dehydrohalogenation of (Z)-1-iodo-1-alkenes with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) under mild conditions. The methodology was expanded to include a one-pot, direct synthesis of terminal alkynes from aldehydes without the necessity of isolating and purifying the intermediate iodoalkene.