Cross-couplings of alkyl halides with heteroaromatic halides, in water at room temperature

Zn-mediated, Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions between heteroaromatic and alkyl halides can be done at room temperature in pure water using a commercially available Pd catalyst and PTS, a nanomicelle-forming amphiphile. Notably, zinc metal inserts selectively into a carbon sp3-halide bond, while palladium adds oxidatively to a carbon sp2-bond.