Electroreduction of 1,1′-bis(methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium tosylate
generated amphiphilic organic reductants, which promoted the Pd-catalyzed reductive
coupling of aryl bromides in water to give the corresponding biaryls. The yields and
selectivity of biaryls depended on the length of ethyleneoxy groups and substituents
of the aryl bromides.
Key words
electron transfer - palladium - reduction - coupling - arenes