1-Iodo-3-methoxy-5-nitro-benzene (279 mg, 1 mmol), phenylboronic acid (146 mg, 1.2 mmol), potassium carbonate (2M, 1.0 ml) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphino)palladium(0) are dissolved in ethanol (0.5 ml) and toluene (10 ml) and the mixture heated to 90° C. for 24 h. The volatile components are removed in vacuo and the residue codistilled twice with toluene. Flash chromatography (silica, eluent dichloromethane/cyclohexane 1:2) affords the product (185 mg, 81%) as light brown solid. MS: m/e=229 (M+).
