Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction (between pherylboronic acid and 4-bromobenzonitrile) in presence of catalytic quaternary ammonium salts is described. With Aliquat 336 (tricaprilylmethylammonium chloride), the rates of the reaction were increased in DME and toluene allowing to work with lower stirring and at lower temperatures in some cases. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.