Herein we disclose the first example of
transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative coupling/annulation of
simple benzoic acids with terminal alkynes via C−H activation.
A range of aromatic carboxylic acids and terminal alkynes have
been found to be viable substrates in this reaction, providing a
simple and efficient method for the synthesis of diverse 3-
ylidenephthalides with complete Z selectivity