Cross-Coupling Reaction of Hydrophobic Substrates in Water: Micellar Catalysis with Macromolecular Surfactants

Organic synthesis, both in the laboratory and in industry, usually involves the use of a variety of solvents, the choice of which is determined by the nature of the reaction and its substrates. Water rarely enters the range of solvents for organic reactions. The problem is the solubility of organic substances in water. Micellar catalysis, based on the phenomenon of solubilization and local concentrating, provides the possibility of carrying out reactions of hydrophobic substances in water. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of using polymeric surfactants for the implementation in water of Suzuki cross-coupling, which is one of the most important constructive reactions in organic chemistry.