Sonogashira Couplings of Aryl Bromides: Room Temperature, Water Only, No Copper

Cross-coupling reactions between lipophilic terminal alkynes and aryl bromides can be catalyzed by ligated Pd, in the absence of copper, in pure water at ambient temperatures. Small amounts of the nonionic amphiphile PTS assist by virtue of nanometer micelles formed spontaneously in an aqueous medium.