Pd-Catalyzed α-Allylation of 2-Phenylpropanal and other Carbonyl Compounds with Allyl Alcohol and Allyl Acetates/Carbonates in Ionic Liquids

Summary. The successful Pd-catalysed allylation of 2-phenylpropanal with allyl alcohol in ionic liquid is described and thus a simplier reaction composition catalytic system than in THF is possible. On the other hand, the Pd-catalyzed α-allylation of the same substrate with allyl acetate or allyl ethyl carbonate is proceeding nicely in ionic liquids. Allylation of different carbonyl derivatives was studied and it was found that the reaction is restricted to carbonyl derivatives from which a carbanion stabilized by an adjacent aromatic ring can be formed.