A copper free [Pd]-catalyzed domino intramolecular Heck and intermolecular decarboxylative Sonogashira couplings, for the synthesis of alkyne bearing heterocyclic compounds with a quaternary carbon atom, is described. Notably, this dual bond forming strategy is successful in water solvent, under microwave irradiation. This one-pot operation enabled the formation of a variety of dihydrobenzofurans, indolines and oxindoles, in very good to near quantitative yields. Notably, unlike earlier reports, the present strategy is successful in delivering the products with short alkyl substituents on acetylene carbon, which is first of its kind. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.