Microwave-assisted Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, a key step in the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites. Journal   The Journal of organic chemistry. Citation   J Org Chem. 72(23):8987-9 Publication date   2007 Nov 9 Authors   Sharma AK Gowdahalli K Krzeminski J Amin S Investigators   Shantu Amin Arun Sharma Grants   United States NCI N02 CB56603 MeSH headings   Microwaves Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic MeSH qualifiers   chemical synthesis radiation effects Abstract   A highly efficient and general method for Suzuki cross-coupling reaction en route to the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their metabolites has been developed. Microwave irradiation of aryl bromides 1 and boronic acids (2 and 3) using polyurea microencapsulated palladium catalyst (Pd EnCat 30) gave the coupling adducts 4 and 5 in excellent yields in just 20 min compared to approximately 24 h under thermal conditions, corresponding to a approximately 72-fold increase in reaction rate.