Short synthesis of bis-NHC-Pd catalyst derived from caffeine and its applications to Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira reactions in aqueous solution

A short and efficient synthesis of a bis-NHC-palladium catalyst simply prepared from caffeine in two steps was reported. The air and moisture stable Pd catalyst can be used as a good catalyst in running SuzukieMiyaura, MizorokieHeck, and Sonogashira reactions in aqueous solution. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.