Ultrasonic activation of Heck type reactions in the presence of Aliquat-336

Without phosphine and base, palladium catalysts such as PdCl2, Pd(OAc)2 and PdCl2(PhCN)2 in water/DMF mixtures with Aliquat-336 proved to be excellent catalytic systems for Heck reactions involving several aryl bromides with styrene and acrylic compounds. Yields are remarkably improved under ultrasonic irradiation and the products show a high purity.