Supported Gold Catalyzes the Homocoupling of Phenylboronic Acid with High Conversion and Selectivity

Gold on nanocrystalline cerium oxide is a highly active and selective catalyst for the homocoupling of phenylboronic acid derivatives in the presence of K2CO3 as a base (see picture). Au3+ species are thought to be the active sites for the reaction, and water is required to activate the boronic acid through the participation of surface hydroxy groups.