Three roles for the fluoride ion in palladium-catalyzed Hiyama reactions: transmetalation of [ArPdFL₂] by Ar'Si(OR)₃.

From the kinetic data on the transmetalation/reductive elimination in fluoride-promoted Hiyama reactions, obtained using electrochemical techniques, it has been established that fluoride ions play three roles. F(-) reacts with trans-[ArPdBrL2] (L=PPh3) to form trans-[ArPdFL2], which reacts with Ar'Si(OMe)3 in the rate-determining transmetalation, whereas trans-[ArPdBrL2] does not react with Ar'Si(OMe)3. F(-) reacts with Ar'Si(OMe)3 to deliver the unreactive silicate Ar'SiF(OMe)3(-), thus leading to two antagonistic kinetic effects. In addition, F(-) catalyzes the reductive elimination from intermediate trans-[ArPdAr'L2].