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

Without phosphine and base, palladium catalysts such as PdCl(2), Pd(OAc)(2) and PdCl(2)(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.