A reusable CuSO 4 · 5H 2 O/cationic 2,2 -bipyridyl system catalyzed the homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes in water using I 2 as the additive in the presence or absence of tetrabutylammonium bromide, giving the 1,3-diynes in good to high yields. After reaction, the residual aqueous solution could be reused several times.