Pd-catalyzed nucleophilic allylic alkylation of aliphatic aldehydes by the use of allyl alcohols

Under catalysis of Pd(OAc)2-(P-n-Bu)3, Et2Zn promotes a variety of allyl alcohols to undergo nucleophilic allylation of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones at room temperature and provides homoallyl alcohols in 60–90 and ca. 60% isolated yield, respectively. The reaction is irreversible and kinetically controlled, and unique regio- and stereoselectivities observed for the allylation with unsymmetrically substituted allyl alcohols are discussed.