Indium-mediated allylation of carbonyl compounds with an allylic bromide in aqueous media: anomalous syn-diastereoselectivity regardless of allylic bromide geometry

Anomalous syn-diastereoselectivity of indium-mediated coupling of aldehydes with bromides Z-3b and E-3b is reported. The reaction afforded high syn selectivity regardless of the allylic bromide geometry. Preliminary studies on the enantioselective indium-mediated allylation were attempted and found to give the desired products in moderate yield with high syn selectivity and enantioselectivity.