Based on these experiments and insights from prior studies, we propose a mechanistic picture consistent with the above findings (Figure ). Oxidative addition of aldehyde 1 and silyl chloride to Ni(0) generates Ni(II) silyloxyalkyl complex II. Species related to II have been previously described, and our prior studies of aldehyde -alkyl halide couplings illustrated characteristic byproducts that are best explained by the involvement of II. Addition of free radical VI to II affords Ni(III) species III, which undergoes rapid reductive elimination to form product 3 and Ni(I) species IV. Combination of IV with the RAE 2 results in V and the free radical VI that recombines with species II. The above steps are consistent with the observation that Ni(0) undergoes product formation in the absence of zinc, illustrating that reduction of intermediate II to the corresponding Ni(I) complex is not strictly required for turnover. Additionally, the above evidence (Figure ) for free radical intermediates derived from the RAE 2 are consistent with this proposed mechanistic pathway.