The Pd/C-catalyzed transfer hydrogenolysis of aryl halides by formate salts in a triphase system requires the absorption of all three substrates, the aryl halide acceptor, the formate anion, and the water, to a single site on the catalyst surface in a specific order. This unique mechanism necessitates delicate optimization of reaction conditions. The affinity of various hydrogen acceptors to the catalyst was determined by competitive kinetic experiments to ...
