The decisive role of ligand metathesis in Au/Pd bimetallic catalysis

AuClL1/PdCl2L22 cocatalyzed coupling of Ar1X and (ArSnBu3)-Sn-2 is feasible for bulky Ar-1, provided that at least one ligand on Pd is not strongly coordinating. This can be achieved in situ by Au/Pd ligand exchange if L-1 is weakly coordinating. When the exchange is slow, independent preparation of appropriate catalysts is recommended.