A synthesis of novel allyl 1,1-hetero- and homobimetallic compounds wh
ere M=Sn or Si' and M'=Si via a palladium catalyzed reduction employin
g ammonium formate is described. The regioselectivity in the reduction
s is routinely >99:1. Reaction of these novel reagents was also invest
igated with various electrophiles and compared to the well studied cro
tyl- and allylstannane and silanes. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Scienc
e Ltd