The coupling reaction between an aromatic halide and ethynyltrimethylsilane under the catalysis of palladium (0) generated in situ, followed by treatment of the (trimethylsily1) ethynyl product with potassium carbonate in methanol at ambient temperatures, provides a simple approach to various ethynylated benzoic acid derivatives and other aromatic compounds. The conditions for the removal of the trimethylsilyl group were very mild, so ...