Base-free oxidative homocoupling of arylboronic esters

Base-free oxidative homocoupling reaction of arylboronic esters has been found to proceed using a catalytic amount of a palladium-1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) complex under an oxygen atmosphere, affording a variety of biaryls in modest to excellent yields. Even arylboronic esters bearing a base-sensitive functional group are applicable to the reaction. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.