Recent progress in the leading synthetic applications of acetylene is discussed from the prospect of rapid development and novel opportunities. A diversity of reactions involving the acetylene molecule to carry out vinylation processes, cross-coupling reactions, synthesis of substituted alkynes, preparation of heterocycles and the construction of a number of functionalized molecules with different levels of molecular complexity were recently studied. Of particular importance is the utilization of acetylene in the synthesis of pharmaceutical substances and drugs. The increasing interest in acetylene and its involvement in organic transformations highlights a fascinating renaissance of this simplest alkyne molecule.

Acetylene was replaced with calcium carbide and utilized for the synthesis of practically useful vinyl thioesters in a simple and environmentally benign procedure.

We developed a simple and efficient strategy to access N-vinyl secondary amines of various naturally occurring materials using readily available solid acetylene reagents (calcium carbide, KF, and KOH). Pyrrole, pyrazole, indoles, carbazoles, and diarylamines were successfully vinylated in good yields. Cross-linked and linear polymers were synthesized from N-vinyl carbazoles through free radical and cationic polymerization. Post-modification of olanzapine (an antipsychotic drug substance) was successfully performed.

A series of biomass-derived alcohols were successfully vinylated with calcium carbide followed by the polymerization. The polymers were tested as materials and disassembled back to monomers through pyrolysis.