Oxidative dimerization: Pd(II) catalysis in the presence of oxygen using aqueous media

Reported herein is a method for the formation of symmetric biaryls and dienes via oxidative dimerization of aryl and alkenyl boronic acids. These conditions utilized Pd(II) catalysts under an oxygen atmosphere with water as the solvent. The use of phase transfer catalysts promoted efficient and mild syntheses of a wide range of materials.