Allylic activation across an Ir–Sn heterobimetallic catalyst: nucleophilic substitution and disproportionation of allylic alcohol

A nucleophilic substitution of allylic alcohols with carbon (arene, heteroarene, allyltrimethylsilane, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compound), sulfur (thiol), oxygen (alcohol), and nitrogen (sulfonamide) nucleophiles has been demonstrated using an in house developed [Ir(COD)(SnCl3)l(μ-Cl)]2 heterobimetallic catalyst in 1,2-dichloroethane to afford the corresponding allylic products in moderate to excellent yields. In 4-hydroxycoumarin, allylation occurs at the 3-position. The diaryl-substituted allylic alcohols undergo disproportionation in presence of the heterobimetallic catalyst to provide the corresponding alkenes and chalcones. An electrophilic mechanism is proposed from Hammett correlation study.