Microwave-Assisted Silver-Catalyzed Synthesis of Biaryl Compounds

A rapid, ligand/oxidant/base-free, silver carbonate-catalyzed homocoupling reaction of aryl boronic acids under microwave irradiation for the synthesis of symmetric biaryls is described here. This protocol tolerates a wide range of electron-donating, electron-withdrawing, and heterocyclic boronic acids to provide the corresponding biaryl products in good to excellent yields. The features of this strategy include a wide substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, high functional group tolerance, good to excellent yields, and short reaction time.