Application of cross-coupling reactions in Merck

Process design and development of drug candidates using cross-coupling reactions as key steps are discussed. In the anti-MRS carbapenem project, all drug candidates were prepared effectively in a few steps from the commercially available diazo intermediate by either Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling or Stille–Migita cross-coupling, demonstrating the versatility, effectiveness, functional group tolerability, and mild reaction conditions of cross-coupling methods.