[PdCl2(CH3CN)(2)] (2 mol%) was found to be an efficient catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction between aryl bromide and aryl boronic acid in water solvent at 45 degrees C. The scope of the protocol was extended to various aryl bromides and aryl boronic acids. In general, an effective method has been developed for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction by using a phosphine-free Pd catalyst. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.