Copper-Free One-Pot Sonogashira-Type Coupling for the Efficient Preparation of Symmetric Diarylalkyne Ligands for Metal-Organic Cages

Bipyridine- and benzimidazole-based ligands for the self-assembly of Co₄L₆ cages were synthesised in short reaction times and high isolated yields directly from aryl halide precursors using a copper-free one-pot Sonogashira-type coupling. This one-pot method circumvents the often time-consuming and challenging ligand synthesis for the preparation and application of cages.