Palladium catalysts for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction: An overview of recent advances

This review with 206 references covers the literature published until March 2004 on the development and applications of new efficient catalyst systems for the Suzuki palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reaction of organoboron compounds with organic electrophiles. Where possible, the relative advantages of the new catalyst systems in this synthetically very important carbon-carbon bond forming reaction have been compared. 1 Introduction 2 Palladacycle Complexes as Catalyst Precursors 3 Catalyst Systems Composed of Pd(0) or Pd(II) Derivatives and Electron-Rich and/or Bulky Phosphine Ligands 4 Catalyst Systems Composed of Pd(0) or Pd(II) Derivatives and N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands 5 Water-Soluble Catalyst Precursors 6 Ligandless Catalyst Precursors 7 Other Novel Pd Catalyst Precursors 8 Conclusions.