Kinetic data for the transmetalation/reductive elimination in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reactions: unexpected triple role of hydroxide ions used as base

The mechanism of the reaction of trans-[ArPdX(PPh(3))(2)] (Ar=p-Z-C(6)H(4); Z=CN, F, H; X=I, Br, Cl) with Ar'B(OH)(2) (Ar'=p-Z'-C(6)H(4); Z'=CN, H, OMe) has been established in DMF in the presence of the base OH(-) in the context of real palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. The formation of the cross-coupling product ArAr' and [Pd(0)(PPh(3))(3)] has been followed through the application of electrochemical techniques. Kinetic data have been obtained for the first time, with determination of the observed rate constant, k(obs), of the overall reaction. trans-[ArPdX(PPh(3))(2)] is not reactive in the absence of the base. The base OH(-) plays three roles. It favors the reaction: 1) by formation of trans-[ArPd(OH)(PPh(3))(2)], a key complex which, in contrast to trans-[ArPdX(PPh(3))(2)], reacts with Ar'B(OH)(2) (rate-determining transmetalation), and 2) by unexpected promotion of the reductive elimination from the intermediate trans-[ArPdAr'(PPh(3))(2)], which generates ArAr' and a Pd(0) species. Conversely, the base OH(-) disfavors the reaction by formation of the unreactive anionic Ar'B(OH)(3)(-). As a consequence of these antagonistic effects of OH(-), the overall reactivity is controlled by the concentration of OH(-) and passes through a maximum as the concentration of OH(-) is increased. Therefore, the base favors the rate-determining transmetalation and unexpectedly also the reductive elimination.