Synthesis of Biaryls and Aryl Ketones via Microwave-Assisted Decarboxylative Cross-Couplings

A protocol for the microwave-assisted decarboxylative cross-couplings of carboxylic acid salts with aryl halides has been developed that allows the synthesis of various biaryls and aryl ketones in high yields. After careful adaptation of the bimetallic catalyst system and reaction conditions, these mechanistically complex transformations can now be performed within only five minutes in concentrated solution in a sealed vessel. This greatly simplified reaction protocol is ideally suited for applications in parallel synthesis and drug discovery.