Highly effective activation of aryl chlorides for Suzuki coupling in aqueous media using a ferrocene-based Pd(II)–diimine catalyst

The Suzuki coupling of aryl chlorides with boronic acids using a ferrocene-containing Pd(II)–diimine complex as catalyst, in aqueous media, under microwave heating is reported. A small amount of the catalyst (0.1%) was found to be highly effective for coupling unactivated aryl chlorides with boronic acids to form sterically hindered ortho-substituted biaryls. The same catalyst also enabled the coupling of aryl bromides and iodides with various boronic acids in very high yields. The catalyst is air stable and the catalytic reaction can be completed in 15 min.