Highly efficient cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine catalyst for Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of 3-pyridylboronic pinacol ester with aryl halides

The Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of 3-pyridylboronic pinacol ester with aryl iodides, bromides and chlorides was carried out in DMF/H2O (3/1, v/v) at 110 °C in the presence of cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine I and K2CO3 or CsCO3 (1.0 equiv.) without the protection of inert gas. By using this method the synthesis of 3-pyridyl biaryl compounds could be readily achieved.