An efficient FeCl3•6H2O/cationic 2,2’-bipyridine system catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl iodides with activated olefins in water in the presence of Zn as the reductant, giving Michael-type addition products in good to high yields. The present system provides an extremely suitable catalyst for the activation of a variety of aryl iodides and it has two advantages: iron is the cheapest transition-metal, less environmental pollution and the greenest solvent, water, is employed as the reaction medium.