The scope and limitations of the Pd(OAc)(2)/DABCO (1,4-diaza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane)-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions have been demonstrated. The results showed that the effect of solvent had a fundamental influence on the reaction. In the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and DABCO, both aryl bromides and aryl chlorides all worked well with arylboronic acids to form biaryls, heteroaryl-aryls, and bibeteroaryls in moderate to excellent yields using DMF as the solvent. Additionally, the reactions of aryl bromides were conducted under relatively mild conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.