Commercial copolymer Luviset clear (L1), an environmentally benign and efficient ligand, was used to facilitate the catalytic performance of Cu(NO3)2 for homo-coupling of terminal alkynes. A series of substituted aromatic and aliphatic terminal alkynes were investigated. It was found that Cu(NO3)2@L1 can catalyze the C–C coupling reactions without any other base, and the corresponding diynes are generated in good to excellent yield. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to study the reaction mechanism, and the results evidence a Cu(II)/Cu(I) catalytic system. Additionally, the catalyst can be easily separated and reused without showing significant loss of catalytic activity.
