Heck couplings at room temperature in nanometer aqueous micelles.

A nonionic amphiphile such as Triton X-100 or the vitamin E-based PTS, both of which form nanomicelles in water, promotes Heck cross-couplings of non-water-soluble partners at ambient temperatures. These are the first examples of Heck reactions conducted in water (as the only solvent) at room temperature.