There is currently significant interest in undertaking organic reactions under purely aqueous conditions, both in an academic and industrial climate. Water is the cheapest solvent on Earth; it has no flammability issues; it alleviates pollution problems associated with organic media and often engenders improved synthetic efficiency. The incorporation of three microscale synthetic experiments into the third-year organic chemistry undergraduate curriculum will be discussed. Each experiment involves usage of water as the solvent for a carbon-carbon bond forming process. Adoption of this approach facilitates synthesis of cinnamate ester sunscreen analogs via a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and preparation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug analogs via a Suzuki reaction (below), thus showcasing the "real-world relevance" aspect of organic chemistry to students.