Application of a dimeric ortho-palladated complex of tribenzylamine as an efficient catalyst in microwave-assisted Hiyama coupling reactions

The activity of [Pd{C6H4(CH2N(CH2Ph)2)}(mu-Br)]2 complex was investigated in cross-coupling reactions of triethoxy(phenyl)silane with various aryl halides under microwave irradiation. This complex is an efficient and stable catalyst for the synthesis of substituted biphenyls that is non-sensitive to air and moisture. The combination of dimeric complex as homogenous catalyst, microwave irradiation, DMF as microwave-active polar solvent and TBAF as microwave-active additive led to excellent yields in short reaction times. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.