The Suzuki homocoupling reaction under high-intensity ultrasound

The Pd-catalysed Suzuki homocoupling of boronic acids was successfully carried out in water under high-intensity ultrasound (HIU). Heterogeneous catalysis with Pd/C, facilitating work up and purification, could be used without adding phosphine ligands. Reaction rates and yields were strongly influenced by the oxidant employed; excellent results were obtained using either molecular oxygen or 3-bromo-4-hydroxycoumarin. 3-Arylation of the latter with the Suzuki procedure had failed, exclusively affording the homocoupling products, symmetric biaryls. Besides offering a number of operational advantages, the use of HIU broadens the field of application for the Suzuki reaction. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.