Recyclable and highly active cationic 2,2′-bipyridyl palladium(II) catalyst for Suzuki cross-coupling reaction in water

A water-soluble and air-stable palladium(II)/cationic 2,2′-bipyridyl catalyst is proven to be a recyclable and extremely active catalyst for Suzuki reaction in aqueous and aerobic conditions. The conveniently prepared catalyst showed little loss in the catalytic process of the coupling between 4-bromoacetophenone and phenylboronic acid after five cycles. For the reactions of aryl chlorides, biaryls were formed in high yields under refluxing temperature in the presence of TBAB.