An efficient protocol of copper-catalyzed C-S bond formation between aryl halides and potassium thiocyanate leading to diaryl sulfides is reported. A variety of diaryl sulfides can be synthesized in good to excellent yields up to 94%.

An unusual copper‐catalyzed cyanation of aryl iodides to form aryl nitriles by cyano group transfer from C(sp3) to C(sp2) carbon atoms is reported and proceeds to give yields of up to 86%.

The cross‐coupling reaction between aryl halides andaqueous ammonia was efficiently catalyzed by the sulfonato–Cu(salen) complex in water with high yields. A variety of substituted aryl bromides and aryl iodides were found to be applicable to the environmentally benign system. Substituted 1H‐benzimidazole could also be easily prepared by coupling aqueous ammonia with 2‐iodoacetanilide in one pot with this catalytic system.

A water-soluble sulfonato-Cu(salen) complex catalyzed procedure for the N-arylation of simple aliphatic amines, amino alcohols and amino acids in pure water have been developed. A variety of substituted aryl iodides, bromides and

(salen) Complex in Water. -The cross-coupling reaction between imidazoles (I) with arylboronic acids (II) in the presence of a salen complex without addition of other additives and bases is developed. Electron-deficient arylboronic acids affords products (III) in excellent yields, whereas derivatives with electron-donating substituents gives somewhat lower yields. The method is also applicable to other heterocyclic systems.-(WANG, L.; JIANG, Z.; YU, L.; LI, L.; LI