Mechanism

The mechanism of this reaction involves oxidative addition followed by transmetallation and reductive elimination (Scheme 12).

Scheme 12

This reaction can be utilized to highly substituted substrates. For example, the synthesis of hexaferrocenyl benzene can be accomplished (Scheme 13).

Scheme 13

Besides Negishi cross-coupling, Ni and Pd salts have also been known to catalyze the cyclization reactions of organozinc compounds via a radical pathway. In these cases, an intermediate Ni(0) or Pd(0) is formed which initiates a radical chain providing a new zinc derivative which undergo reaction with other electrophiles (Scheme 14).