Interrogating Pd(II) anion metathesis using a bifunctional chemical probe: a transmetalation switch

Ligand metathesis of Pd(II) complexes is mechanistically essential for cross-coupling. We present a study of halide→OH anion metathesis of (Ar)Pd^II complexes using vinylBPin as a bifunctional chemical probe with Pd(II)-dependent cross-coupling pathways. We identify the variables that profoundly impact this event and allow control to be leveraged. This then allows control of cross-coupling pathways via promotion or inhibition of organoboron transmetalation, leading to either Suzuki-Miyaura or Mizoroki-Heck products. We show how this transmetalation switch can be used to synthetic gain in a cascade cross-coupling/Diels-Alder reaction, delivering borylated or non-borylated carbocycles, including steroid-like scaffolds.