Minimizing Pd-PAd3 Catalyst Loading in Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reactions

Abstract

The Carrow Group at Princeton University has previously demonstrated the high performance and stability of the Pd-PAd3 catalyst in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions at relatively low catalyst loading. This work aims to build on their success, and further lower the amount of catalyst required to achieve quantitative conversion in reactions involving chloroarenes by introducing one-electron reductants. Initial attempts to lower catalyst loading indicated the need to standardize aspects of reaction procedure, including stir-rate and stir start-time. Once this was done, the effects of Mg and Zn were measured. While results seem to indicate they had no significant effect on yield, the work done here sets the foundation for future work to build upon.