Pd-II-loading alumina catalyst, which is simply prepared through impregnation of gamma-alumina with Pd(OAc)(2) followed by calcination in the air, shows a high catalytic activity for the Suzuki coupling of aryl bromides with arylboronic acids under phosphine ligand-free conditions. Only 0.25 mol % of palladium is sufficient for the promotion of the couplings in ethanol.