A simple and efficient protocol for Suzuki coupling reactions of aryl chlorides and aryl bromides in aqueous DMF

A simple, efficient and ligand-free palladium acetate catalyzed protocol was developed in aqueous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) under mild reaction conditions in the presence of Na2CO3 in air. This procedure showed good catalytic efficiency towards the Suzuki coupling of aryl bromide and arylboronic acid. Furthermore, under enhanced reaction conditions, various aryl chlorides could smoothly be coupled with arylboronic acids to afford biphenyls without any use of additives and ligands, and good yields were obtained in the Suzuki coupling of activated aryl chlorides.