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In order to explore the different mechanisms possibly occurring in the Au-catalysed cross-coupling of ArN2BF4 and ArB(OH)2 in the presence of CsF, various stoichiometric experiments were performed on gold complexes with (P,N) ligands. Employing 2-pyridylphenyl-diphenylphosphine allowed us to suggest three different mechanistic pathways, starting either with a transmetallation step, via two consecutive single electron transfers, or by implying a transmetallation between Au(i) and Au(iii) species. Moreover, when using commercially available chiral (P,N) ligands, the asymmetric formation of atropoisomeric biaryls from suitable aryldiazonium salts and arylboronic acids could be achieved with e.e. up to 26%.

A new class of silicon-based fluoride acceptors with a C-linked heterocycle as the leaving group was synthesized in one step from commercial chemicals, and linked to biomolecules. The resulting conjugates were efficiently 19F-fluorinated in aqueous mixtures, and switching to 18F-labelling provided nucleoside- and peptide-based bioconjugates with excellent molar activities suitable for biological applications.