Pd(OH)2/C (Pearlman's catalyst): a highly active catalyst for Fukuyama, Sonogashira, and Suzuki coupling reactions.

Treatment of thiol esters 1 with zinc reagent 2 in the presence of a small amount (<ca. 1 mol %) of nonpyrophoric Pd(OH)(2)/C (Pearlman's catalyst) provided functionalized asymmetrical ketones 3 in high yields. The use of Pd(OH)(2)/C was further applied to Sonogashira and Suzuki coupling reactions to afford the desired products in high yields.