Microwave-assisted Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, a key step in the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites

A highly efficient and general method for Suzuki cross-coupling reaction en route to the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their metabolites has been developed. Microwave irradiation of aryl bromides 1 and boronic acids (2 and 3) using polyurea microencapsulated palladium catalyst (Pd EnCat 30) gave the coupling adducts 4 and 5 in excellent yields in just 20 min compared to approximately 24 h under thermal conditions, corresponding to a approximately 72-fold increase in reaction rate.