Microwave-assisted Stille and Hiyama cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by ortho-palladated complexes of homoveratrylamine

The activity of dimeric [Pd{C6H2(CH2CH2NH2)-(OMe)(2)-3,4}(mu-Br)](2) and monomeric [Pd{C6H2-(CH2CH2NH2)-(OMe)(2)-3,4}Br(PPh3)] complexes as efficient, air, and moisture tolerant catalysts was investigated in Stille and Hiyama cross-coupling reactions of various aryl halides. Substituted biaryls were produced in excellent yields in short reaction times using these complexes. The monomeric complex had been demonstrated to be more active than the corresponding dimeric catalyst for the cross-coupling of some of aryl bromides and unreactive aryl chlorides. The combination of homogenous metal catalyst, microwave irradiation, and microwave-active polar solvents gave high yields of products in short reaction times. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.