NHC–Pd(II)–Im (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene, Im=1-methylimidazole) complex catalyzed coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with carboxylic acid anhydrides in water

A well-defined N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–palladium chloride–imidazole complex exhibited high catalytic activity in the coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with carboxylic acid anhydrides in pure water under mild conditions. Under the optimal conditions, all reactions gave the desired coupling products in moderate to high yields.