PEG-400 promoted Pd(OAc)2/DABCO-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions in aqueous media

PEG-400 [poly(ethylene glycol-400)] was found to improve the Pd(OAc)2/DABCO-catalyzed aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura and Stille cross-coupling reactions. In the presence of Pd(OAc)2, DABCO, and PEG-400, a variety of aryl halides were coupled with arylboronic acids or organotin compounds efficiently to afford the corresponding cross-coupled products in moderate to excellent yields. The turnover numbers was up to 900,000 for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction and up to 9800 for the Stille reaction. The catalyst system was also effective for Heck and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions to some extent.