Silver-containing microemulsion as a high-efficient and recyclable catalytic system for hydration of alkynes.

A silver-catalyzed highly efficient and regioselective synthesis of ketones from a wide range of alkynes is described. The reaction is dramatically accelerated by its performance in aqueous emulsion, which is self-assembled by the addition of silver perfluorooctanesulfonate ( 1 ) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) to water. The reaction is conducted under convenient conditions with broad substrate scope, including a variety of aromatic and aliphatic terminal alkynes and internal alkynes. Furthermore, the air- and light-stable silver catalytic microemulsion can be reused for 4 times with minimal change in catalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]