Pd-catalyzed oxidative homocoupling of arylboronic acids in WEPA: A sustainable access to symmetrical biaryls under added base and ligand-free ambient conditions

Abstract

Symmetrical and unsymmetrical biaryls comprises a diverse class of biologically eloquent organic compounds. We herein report, a quick and eco-friendly protocol for the synthesis of biaryls by an oxidative (aerobic) homocoupling of arylboronic acids (ABAs) using Pd(OAc)2 in water extract of pomogranate ash (WEPA) as an efficient agro-waste(bio)-derived aqueous (basic) media. The reactions were executed at ambient aerobic conditions in the absence of external base and ligand to result symmetrical biaryls in excellent yields. The use of renewable media with an effective exploitation of waste, short reaction times, excellent yields of products, easy separation of the products, unnecessating the external base, oxidant, ligand or volatile organic solvents and ambient reaction conditions are the vital insights of the present protocol.