Reaction of aryl di-, tri-, or tetrabromides with arylboronic acids or alkenes in the presence of a palladium-tetraphosphine catalyst

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ system catalyses the Suzuki and Heck reactions of aryl di-, tri-, or tetrabromides with a range of arylboronic acids or alkenes with moderate to high ratio substrate/catalyst in good yields. Aryl polybromides such as dibromobenzenes, 1,3,5-tribromobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrabromobenzene, dibromopyridines or a dibromothiophene have been successfully used. Convenient synthesis of a variety of di- and triarylated or vinylated compounds and even a 1,2,4,5-tetraarylated compound were prepared by use of this reaction.