Synthesis of Aryl Ketones by Cross-Coupling Reaction of Arylboronic Acids with Carboxylic Anhydrides in Aqueous Phase

A highly efficient aqueous system of PdCl₂-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylboronic acid with carboxylic anhydride (Suzuki-type reaction) without the use of phosphine ligands was developed. The reactions went smoothly in acetone/H₂O phase to give good yields of aryl ketones in short reaction times (1–3 h) at room temperature in air and were unaffected by the presence of electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing substituents in both the arylboronic acids and carboxylic anhydrides.