Speciation of Pd(OAc)2 in ligandless Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

Generation of catalytically active Pd(0) species from Pd(OAc)(2) has been examined, in the context of Suzuki-Miyaura reactions involving substitution of aryl bromides under aerobic and ambient conditions. Using a combination of spectroscopic, microscopic and kinetic measurements, the role of each reaction component is delineated in the speciation of the palladium species. Among the key findings are the effects of O-2, H2O and inorganic base, and implications for catalytic activity.